Volunteering with Reiman Gardens

Activity Description

Notes on Summer 2026 shifts: Wednesday Conservatory shifts will be lighter work than usual as Jessie is up to her eyeballs with Trials projects. She will leave the tools needed to do some light sprucing, and you can leave as soon as that work is done each week (don't worry, you can still have your regular coffee break during or after you're done!). When she has major work to be accomplished on a Wednesday shift, she'll email everyone signed up so that they are aware it'll be more of a "regular" shift.

Volunteers help with the maintenance of the permanent plantings and rotating displays in the Hughes Conservatory. Volunteers learn new gardening techniques and help maintain a variety of unique displays and exhibit gardens. Other activities may include watering, planting, deadheading, trimming, weeding, stuffing topiary forms, or other special projects.

2026 Theme: Living Landscapes

• Spring Exhibit: "Big Bulbs" - bulb diversity
• Summer Exhibit: "Orchid Forest" - orchid family diversity
• Fall Exhibit: "Fall Fractals" - Pineapples and other bromos
• Winter Exhibit: "Celebrating G-Scale with RG Express" - Bonsai, dwarf conifers - G-scale gardening

What to do when you arrive

• This activity starts before the Gardens opens to the general public. Here's how to enter the gardens before we open.
• Sign in (via front desk kiosk or your phone app), then meet in the Headhouse or Conservatory.
• We'll provide all the necessary tools, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gardening gloves. 
• Please note that signup for this volunteer activity closes around 4:00 p.m. the previous day to allow staff time to prepare for the upcoming shift and communicate where to meet with volunteers.

Training and Requirements

• All volunteers will receive onsite training by the appropriate staff member.
• General physical activity associated with some of these assignments has risks.
• Services provided may include activities that may be hazardous including, but not limited to using garden tools, lifting soil, rocks or other objects, etc.

Activity Locations

Staff Leaders