Community Garden Volunteer Guide

Quann Community Garden is run entirely by volunteers! Every gardener is expected to volunteer at least 4 hours every year to help maintain the entire garden (not just your plot).We welcome volunteers of all experience levels.

Opening Day Tasks

Hay Distribution

When: Opening Day
What: Move hay bales from the garden entrance to plots that ordered hay
Time Commitment: 3-4 hours
Requirements: Ability to lift heavy bales; wheelbarrow provided
Opening Day organizer will indicate number of bales per plot

Number of volunteers: 8-10

Garden Clean-up

When: Opening Day
What: Pick up trash around the tool shed, in pathways, and around compost bins
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours
Requirements: None; trash bags and gloves provided

Number of volunteers: 4-6

Monthly Volunteer Tasks

Weed-whacking Walkways

Frequency: Monthly
What: Weed-whack garden walkways to keep paths clear
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per session
Requirements: Familiarity with weed whacker use; must have own equipment OR ability to store the garden's weed whacker for the season
Contact: [NAME/EMAIL]

Number of volunteers: need 2 teams: 4 volunteers May-July, 4 volunteers August-September

Mowing

Frequency: Monthly
What: Mow designated areas of the garden
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per session
Requirements: Experience with lawn mowing equipment
Contact: [NAME/EMAIL]

Compost Management

Frequency: Monthly
What: Work with the Compost Team Lead to turn, maintain, and manage the garden's compost system
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per session
Requirements: Physical ability to shovel and turn compost; guidance provided
Contact: [NAME/EMAIL]

Tool Cleaning and Maintenance

Frequency: Monthly
What: Inventory garden tools, clean and maintain them, identify items needing repair
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours
Requirements: None; supplies provided upon request
Contact: [NAME/EMAIL]

Shed Cleaning

Frequency: Monthly
What: Organize equipment and sweep the tool shed
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Requirements: None
Contact: [NAME/EMAIL]

Seasonal Tasks

Prune Grapes

When: March
What: Prune grape vines along the garden fence
Time Commitment: Half day
Requirements: Basic pruning knowledge helpful; training can be provided
Contact: Pruning Committee [EMAIL]

Shredding Compost

When: Three times per season (March/April, July, October)
What: Shred materials for the compost bins
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per session
Requirements: Ability to operate shredding equipment; training provided
Contact: [NAME/EMAIL]

Hose Management

When: Spring setup and fall takedown
What: Set up and store garden hoses for the season
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours
Requirements: None
Contact: [NAME/EMAIL]

Painting Signs

When: As needed (typically spring)
What: Touch up or repaint garden signage
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours
Requirements: None; paint and supplies provided
Contact: [NAME/EMAIL]

Plant Flowers on South Fence

When: Spring planting, ongoing maintenance
What: Plan, plant, and tend flower beds along the south gate throughout the season
Time Commitment: Varies; ongoing care needed
Requirements: Interest in flowers and gardening
Contact: Education/Social Committee [EMAIL]

Woodchip Walkways

When: As needed during rainy periods
What: Spread wood chips in muddy walkways
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per session
Requirements: Ability to use a wheelbarrow; wood chips provided
Contact: Grounds Committee [EMAIL]

Weedwhack/Tarp Unused Plots

When: June (once unused plots are identified)
What: Cover unused plots with tarps to prevent weed growth
Time Commitment: Half day
Requirements: Weed whacker experience; all tools and materials provided
Contact: [NAME/EMAIL]

Orchard Weeding

When: As needed throughout season
What: Weed designated areas of the orchard
Time Commitment: 1-3 hours per session
Requirements: None
Contact: [NAME/EMAIL]

Plot Restoration

When: Throughout season as needed

What: Improve poor-quality plots through weed whacking, moving wood chips and soil, and digging

Time Commitment: Varies

Requirements: Physical ability for outdoor work; tasks assigned based on your preferences

Contact: Grounds Committee [EMAIL]