Volunteering in a Garden

Q and A for Garden Volunteers

I'd like my own plot. Where can I find one?
There are only a handful of gardens in greater Houston with plots, and some of these are only open to the local neighborhood. Opportunities in donation gardens and group-format gardens are more abundant.

What will I be doing?
Garden volunteers assist with weeding, watering, planting, harvesting, mulching and other garden tasks.

Can I take veggies home with me?
Some gardens donate 100% of their harvest to the hungry, while others allow gardeners to take a portion of the harvest home with them.

Do I need gardening experience?
Beginners are welcome at most of the gardens. Volunteering at a community garden is a great way to learn to grow fruits and vegetables.

Will I be an Urban Harvest volunteer?
We only own and operate one garden, the Urban Harvest Teaching Garden. We'd love your help there, and we refer lots of folks to many of the gardens in our network to volunteer as well. These gardens are independently managed by individuals, neighborhoods, clubs or other nonprofits.

How much time do I need to volunteer?
Volunteers typically work every one or two weeks, but it can be more or less depending on the garden. Gardens especially love volunteers who can make a regular commitment, but if you're only available for a summer or a few weeks, they can still use your help.

What hours and days can I volunteer?
Many gardens only have hours on a particular weekday or Saturday morning. 7am to 10am is typical, but it varies depending on the garden. Check the volunteer times of indivdual gardens for more information.

What Do I need to bring?
Be sure to wear old clothes, closed-toe shoes (no sandals), a hat and sunscreen. Bring a bottle of water to sip on. If you have gardening gloves, bring those as well. Gardens typically have all the tools and equipment on-site.

Can I bring my kids?
Working in a community garden involves working in dirt and sometimes muddy conditions, hot sun, cold wind, and dealing with mosquitoes and the occasional fire ant. Sharp tools are often involved and the skill to differentiate between weed and plant. Some parts of vegtable plants, such as tomato leaves, are poisonous. For these reasons, community gardening is typically not suitable for very young children, although with proper supervision it can be a rewarding experience for older children.