Volunteer with us

Join us for our next Community Participation Day to get involved with projects, meet gardeners, and learn more about the park.

Take on tasks on your own schedule.

Gardeners may self-report hours by emailing volunteer@fenwayvictorygardens.org with a description of their volunteer effort, including before and after photos, if possible.

Ideas for Independent Volunteering:

Removal of invasives from common areas, compost areas, or row fences -

• Do not use a weed wacker or similar which will spread invasives.

• If you can access the plant’s roots:  Use a pitchfork to gently lift the roots without breaking them. Shake off the soil, place the roots in a plastic bag, and toss them in the trash.

• If the plant is in a fenceline or its roots are inaccessible: Use clippers to remove as much of the plant material as possible, cutting the stems all the way to the ground. Put the cuttings in a plastic bag and dispose of them in the trash.

• Remove invasives incorrectly deposited in the compost piles: Focus on the open windrow where deposits are actively being accepted (usually the greenest content) and help remove obvious invasives like bindweed, porcelain berry, climbing nightshade, etc. Place the removed content in the dumpster/roll-cart (ideally in a garbage bag).

• For visuals and detailed information, including a calendar of when to remove these + other invasive species and how to manage them, check out our Invasive Species Guides.

Rake / Break Up Compost Drop Spot - The compost delivery location in the meadow (near nursery & wheelbarrow yard) needs some help. The area became very compacted and needs to be broken up to allow the grass to grow back.

• Use a rake or pitchfork to loosen the compacted soil on top of the grass, then create a pile for members, or take it yourself and use in your garden.

• Make sure not to go too deep and create a low spot. Only the layer on top of the old grass needs to be loosened and some compost can remain as top-dressing.

Pick up Trash - from common areas, rows, and compost areas. Bag and place in the dumpster/rollcart.

Maintenance and organization of metal recycling area -

• Metal waste is to be placed in the designated metal disposal area which is currently located on Row P near the Agassiz Road entrance. 

• Chain link fencing should be rolled and tied up, and neatly stacked 

• All other fencing should be folded so that no sharp edges sticking out, stepped on to flatten, allowing it to neatly stack

• Remove any wooden posts and/or processed wood and place those in the dumpster

Move/process large woody plant materials improperly placed in compost or wood disposal area -

• Large woody plant material includes thick branches, trees, shrubs, and bushes. A thick branch is thicker than your thumb and should have the thin branches and foliage removed prior to disposal (per the soft plant material guidance).

• These materials should not be placed in the compost areas. 

• They should be neatly stacked in the designated wood disposal area which is currently located on Row P near the Agassiz Road entrance. 

• Note that lumber should not be placed in the designated wood disposal area but should instead be placed in the dumpster/roll-cart.  

Chipping Rows -

• bring a rake, shovel, and wheelbarrow, and help chip rows.

• The wood chip pile is located behind Row A along Boylston Street.

Keep row sight-lines clear by removing overgrowth and/or hiding irrigation pipes -

• Weed outside plots, especially invasives like stinging nettle

• Respectfully prune or tie back any bushes and thorny branches (if you unsure about anything, skip it and let the section coordinator for that section know about the need for trimming).

Email volunteer@fenwayvictorygardens.org to learn about how you can help us with our upcoming events and initiatives.