Horticulture/Gardening - Outdoor - Gardening with Jessie (Trial Gardens)
Activity Instructions
Volunteers help install spring and fall plant materials and assist with the continuing maintenance and weeding in various gardens. Volunteers learn new gardening techniques and help maintain a variety of unique display and exhibit gardens. Activities may include planting, weeding, mulching, pruning, and other seasonal garden maintenance.
- April 27 - clean up Trials, cut back perennials, raking, pruning roses
- May 21-22 - plant Trials
- June 1-Sept 28 - regular trials shifts
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 at the Trial Gardens, unless instructed via email otherwise.
- 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.
Activity Locations
Garden spaces include Trial Gardens. See Map.

Training and Requirements
- Onsite Volunteer
- All volunteers will receive onsite training by the staff leader. 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.
- Volunteers must wear closed-toe/heel shoes (sneakers, hiking or steel-toe boots are a good choice).
Staff Leader
Jessie Liebenguth, Horticulturist

Schedule Summary
The next 10 shifts (out of 17 total shifts) for this activity are as follows
| Date | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, April 27, 2026 | 8:30 AM | 11:30 AM |
| Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 9:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| Friday, May 22, 2026 | 9:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| Monday, June 01, 2026 | 7:30 AM | 10:30 AM |
| Monday, June 08, 2026 | 7:30 AM | 10:30 AM |
| Monday, June 15, 2026 | 7:30 AM | 10:30 AM |
| Monday, June 22, 2026 | 7:30 AM | 10:30 AM |
| Monday, June 29, 2026 | 7:30 AM | 10:30 AM |
| Monday, July 06, 2026 | 7:30 AM | 10:30 AM |
| Monday, July 13, 2026 | 7:30 AM | 10:30 AM |
