Spring just wouldn’t be the same without a visit to Doc Hencke’s garden in Scotts Valley.

Rockfish and lingcod season started out slowly April 1, and is rapidly building momentum. Salmon season launched days later with hit-and-miss results.

Front and center in the news and in your garden is the drought and what you can do about it in your own landscape. If you’ve dabbled before with replacing thirsty plants with climate-appropriate low-water-use California native plants or those from areas similar to ours, this is the year to step up your efforts.

There are many opportunities available for locals who are seeking to partake in the annual spring-cleaning ritual.

The popular Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market — which allows locals to display and sell homemade goods — will be returning to Felton on May 3.