Common Area Tasks at BCG

Here at the Benson Community Garden (BCG), we believe that a thriving garden is built not just on healthy soil—but on shared effort and community spirit. When you sign up for a garden plot, you’re not just growing your own veggies—you’re joining a volunteer-run community that keeps this space beautiful, welcoming, and functional for everyone.

As part of that shared responsibility, each plot is assigned one weekly task to help maintain our common areas. We have 36 plots and 36 tasks, and most of them take just 5 to 15 minutes a week—a small amount of time that makes a big difference when we all pitch in.

We’ve created a variety of tasks to suit different interests and abilities. Gardeners can choose an available task, or if none is selected, one will be assigned. Whether you’re watering herbs, tidying the shed, or keeping an eye on the compost, your help is truly appreciated.

This is a 100% volunteer-run garden—so every small contribution matters. As the saying goes, many hands make light work—and when we all do a little, it adds up to a lot. Thank you for being a part of the BCG family!

Fence Line Defenders

[15 Plot Gardeners]

Some gardeners will be assigned to care for a section along the fence line, specifically the area that spans between three vertical fence posts. Each section is numbered, and your assignment corresponds to the numbers you’ve been given.

Your role is to help keep the space around the fence line neat, clear, and welcoming. This includes:

  • Weeding along the front and back sides of your assigned fence section
  • Removing any trash or debris that may collect in these areas
  • Watering any plants or bushes that are growing within your section of the fence line
  • Keeping an eye on the area and notifying garden coordinators if you notice anything unusual—such as overgrowth, loose fence posts, etc.

This small bit of care each week helps keep our garden edges looking beautiful and cared for. Thanks for helping maintain this often-overlooked space!

The Basil Bosses & Thyme Tamers

[6 Plot Gardeners]

Our herb gardens are shared spaces where we grow fresh herbs for all member gardeners to enjoy. These herbs not only add flavor to meals—they also add beauty and fragrance to our community garden.

There are six sections of herb gardens, and six individual garden plots will be assigned to care for their own section.

If you’re assigned to this task, your responsibility is to:

  • Weed your assigned section weekly, keeping the herbs free from competing plants
  • Water your section weekly, especially during dry or hot weeks
  • Keep an eye out for any issues like pests or damaged plants, and let the coordinators know if anything needs attention

This is a wonderful way to contribute to something everyone can enjoy—plus, it’s a great excuse to brush your fingers across the basil or thyme and take in the scent of the season.

Thanks for helping our herb garden thrive!

Photosynthesis Faculty

[2 Plots]

Two gardeners will be assigned to the Garden Education & Outreach Team, helping share knowledge and inspire others through simple, useful gardening tips.

Each week, team members will:

  • Research and write one short paragraph (just a few sentences is fine!) with helpful information about gardening.
    This could be a seasonal tip, pest control advice, plant care guidance, composting basics, or anything gardeners might find useful or encouraging.

  • Send your paragraph to the garden coordinators by the end of each week. The coordinators will then share it on our website, social media, and in the Garden email newsletter.

This is a great way to help gardeners of all experience levels learn something new and feel more connected. Whether you’re pulling from your own experience or looking up something interesting to share, your voice helps keep our garden community engaged and growing.

Thanks for being a source of inspiration and information!

The Rose Wranglers

[2 Plots]

Our beautiful Rose Garden adds color and charm to the community garden—and it needs a little extra care to thrive. The garden will be divided into two sections, with two gardeners assigned to care for each area.

If you’re on the Rose Garden Team, your responsibilities include:

  • Watering and caring for your section of rose bushes each week
  • Deadheading spent blooms—once the rose flowers have bloomed and begin to die back, gently snip them off and add them to the compost. This simple act redirects the plant’s energy into producing new blooms and encourages healthier growth.
  • Trimming back unruly or overly lanky stems to help maintain a neat shape and keep the bushes healthy and vigorous

Your attention and care will help the roses flourish all season long—creating a space that brings joy to everyone who visits the garden.

Thank you for helping our roses grow strong and beautiful!

Garden Gear Guru

[1 Plot Gardener]

A tidy shed keeps the whole garden running smoothly. One gardener will be assigned check and maintain the cleanliness and organization of the garden shed.

Your responsibilities include:

  • Sweeping out the shed to remove dirt, leaves, or debris
  • Putting tools and supplies back in their proper places, making sure shelves and bins stay neat and organized
  • Giving a quick once-over to ensure everything looks tidy and easy for others to find and use

While all BCG gardeners are expected to return tools neatly and clear off any soil from shovels and equipment after use, your role is to help keep things in good order overall. A clean, well-organized shed helps everyone work more efficiently and protects our shared tools.

Thanks for being the keeper of the shed—it might seem like a small job, but it makes a big difference!

Compost Commandos

[2 Plot Gardeners]

Healthy compost helps feed our soil—and keeping it in good shape takes a little teamwork. Two garden plots will be assigned to care for the compost area, with each plot responsible for pitching in weekly.

Your responsibilities include:

  • Removing any trash or non-compostable materials from the pile and placing them in the garbage
  • Turning the compost pile regularly to help it break down and stay aerated
  • Adding two pails of water to the compost each week—moisture is key to helping materials decompose properly
  • Removing any thick, woody materials (like large sticks or stems) that won’t break down easily and throwing them in the trash

These simple tasks keep our compost active and effective—and ensure we’re building rich soil for future garden seasons. Thank you for helping turn garden scraps into garden gold!

Rainwater Ranger

[1 Plot Gardener]

Our rainwater tank is an essential part of keeping the garden green—and it needs a little care to keep functioning smoothly. One gardener will be assigned to monitor the water tank each week.

Your responsibilities include:

  • Checking that the water tank is functioning properly, including the spout, filter, and any hoses or attachments
  • Weeding around the front and sides of the tank, keeping the area clear, tidy, and accessible
  • Reporting any issues—if you notice a problem with the tank or water flow, please notify the garden coordinators right away so it can be fixed promptly

This task only takes a few minutes each week, but it helps ensure all gardeners have easy access to water when they need it. Thanks for keeping our water system running smoothly!

“The CEOs” (Committee of Event Organization)

[3 Plot Gardeners]

The Garden Events Team helps bring our community together through fun, engaging events in the garden. This team of three gardeners will work together to plan and implement garden events, with support from the garden coordinators.

This season, our event lineup includes:

  • 1 Movie Night – We’ll open the garden to the neighborhood for an evening under the stars, showing a movie on the big screen.
  • 1 Music Night – Featuring a live performance in the garden, creating a welcoming space for neighbors and gardeners to relax and enjoy.
  • A Third Event (TBD) – To be decided by the Events Team—this could be a workshop, picnic, game night, or something new and creative!

The Events Team will take the lead on organizing, promoting, and setting up each event, with help from the coordinators along the way. Whether it’s choosing a movie, booking a band, or coordinating volunteers, your ideas and energy help make the garden a vibrant hub for the whole community.

Thanks for helping make the garden not just a place to grow plants—but a place to grow connections.

Avian Spa Attendant

[1 Plot Gardener]

One gardener will be assigned each week to care for our bird baths, helping keep them clean, full, and welcoming to our feathered visitors.

Your responsibilities include:

  • Refilling the bird baths with fresh water
  • Cleaning out any debris, algae, or buildup inside the bird baths
  • Pulling weeds and picking up any trash around the base of the bird baths to keep the area tidy

This task is quick and easy but makes a big difference—healthy birds help support a balanced garden ecosystem, and it’s always a joy to see them visit.

Thanks for keeping our bird friends happy!

Butterfly Bureau of Beautification

[2 Plot Gardeners]

Two gardeners will be assigned to work alongside Jenny in caring for the Pollinator Garden located outside the fence. This beautiful space is planted specifically to support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators that help our garden thrive.

Your responsibilities include:

  • Basic weeding and upkeep to keep the pollinator plants healthy and thriving
  • General care and observation—keeping an eye on how the plants are doing and helping create a welcoming space for pollinators
  • Assisting Jenny with any seasonal tasks or special care the garden might need

This is a peaceful and rewarding task, supporting the health of the entire garden while nurturing a space that brings beauty and life to our surroundings.

Thanks for helping our pollinators flourish!

Garden Inspector General

[1 Plot Gardener]

Every week one gardener will complete a full walk around the entire garden, serving as an extra set of eyes to help keep the space looking great and functioning safely.

Your responsibilities include:

  • Walking a complete lap around the garden to observe how things are looking and note anything that might need attention
  • Reporting any issues—such as broken structures, overgrown areas, safety concerns, or anything out of the ordinary—to the garden coordinators
  • Picking up any trash or misplaced items, and returning tools or supplies to their proper place if needed
  • Dragging the trash and recycle bins to the side of the garden each Sunday, so Kurt can add them to their household collection

This task only takes a short time, but it helps keep the garden tidy, safe, and welcoming for everyone who visits.

Thanks for being the garden’s weekly caretaker and lookout!