I contributed to the GW community by maintaining the Garden given the school a clean and organized feel. This can in turn boosts student spirit among campus and leave a lasting impact on visitors to GW. I benefited from this by learning different planting strategies and how to make crops survive harsh conditions so if I decide to plant in the future I will know exactly what to do
During this community service activity, I collected seeds from plants so they could be planted and harvested in another area of the garden in the future. I also removed old snap pea vines to help keep the garden clean and organized. This experience taught me patience and the importance of being careful when working with plants. I learned that even small tasks can make a difference in keeping the garden healthy and ready for future planting. I enjoyed helping the community and would like to continue volunteering and learning more about how to care for a garden.
Volunteering at the Vern Community Garden allowed me to directly support the space by harvesting seeds and clearing dead plants to make room for new growth. Through this hands-on work, I learned the value of patience and careful attention, seeing firsthand how steady, thoughtful care helps both plant life and communities thrive
It was nice to learn how to garden
My experience at the Vern Community Garden on Oct 23rd was great. I met new people and learned about the garden while also contributing to keeping it healthly.
Volunteering at the community garden was a meaningful and enjoyable experience. I helped remove weeds and spread hay over the soil to prevent new weeds from growing, retain moisture, and support healthier plants. I could see how these simple tasks contributed to maintaining a clean and productive space that the entire community could benefit from.
I also learned about the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect from Asia that can damage plants and negatively affect DC’s ecosystem. The volunteers explained how pesticides may be used to treat affected plants and control the insect. I especially enjoyed seeing the garden’s raspberry section and learning that raspberries are among the easiest plants there to maintain. Overall, this experience helped me better understand gardening, invasive species, and the importance of caring for shared community spaces.
