There are events at the Red Barn throughout the year such as, Pecan Fest, Market Days, and Country Christmas when we try to have a Master Gardener present in the gazebo of the garden to answer gardening questions.

Here is a detailed agenda of what is needed at the Big Red Barn MG’s Garden and the volunteers that are needed, contact Janice if you would like to volunteer:

1.      Weekly maintenance-Volunteers are involved with bed preparation, planting, weeding, watering, and any other tasks normally done in your own vegetable and flower gardens.  Workdays are every Friday morning, as a group.  However, once trained, volunteers can do tasks such as weeding, in particular, on their own time schedule. 

Number needed:  As many volunteers as we can get.

2.      Mulch and/or compost spreading—Several times a year, a load of mulch or compost needs to be spread on the beds and walkways of the garden.  Typically, working together, this can be completed in 2-3 hours.  It does require a strong back and ability to work in a variety of weather conditions.  If someone cannot commit to working on a regular schedule at the barn, this is a great way to pick up volunteer hours.  Contact Janice for days and times of these one-time projects.
Number needed:  6-8 volunteers

3.      Harvester—As a demonstration garden, it teaches how vegetables grow, in addition, the extra produce is donated to the local Christian Cupboard food bank.  Volunteers are responsible for harvesting produce such as beans, tomatoes, and squash and delivering it to the Christian Cupboard in Seguin on days that the Cupboard is open, presently Monday-Thursday, 9:00-11:30 am.  There are weeks when nothing needs to be harvested, and other times when there is a fair amount of produce to be picked and delivered.

Number needed:  1-2 volunteers

4.      Watering—Fortunately there is a drip irrigation system to keep the plants growing, but there are times, especially in the heat of the summer or when new transplants have been planted, when additional hand watering is beneficial.  During these times, volunteers can go to the barn on their own schedule in addition to the regular workday on Fridays. 

Number needed:  1-2 volunteers

5.      Compost maintenance—In the process of weekly maintenance, there is plant material that is suitable for composting. Volunteers are needed for developing and maintaining an efficient composting system for the garden.

Number needed:  2 volunteers

6.      Miscellaneous jobs—Several times a year, a major pruning and clean-up day is needed in the garden area.  Gardeners who are good with chain saws and heavier gardening can volunteer for just one morning of hard work when needed.  Contact Janice for the schedule of these clean-up days and times.

Number needed:  3-4 volunteers

7.      Docents for fall/spring school tours—School tours are conducted for two weeks at the end of September/beginning of October and in the spring on a less structured basis.  A typical day starts at about 8:30 am and ends by 2:00 pm.  Lunch is provided at the barn.  Two or three docents conduct 20 minute tours of the MG garden focusing on growing vegetables.  The same presentation is repeated 6-8 times as different groups rotate through various activities at the barn.    Docents need to be able to be on their feet during the whole day and withstand outside temperatures as well as work well with children from kindergarten through fifth grades.  There is a prepared script that docents follow to cover concepts that are being taught as part of this educational field trip.  Volunteers can sign up for one or more days.

Number needed:  3 volunteers per day

8.      Docents for Red Barn events—Volunteers sign up for 2-3 hour shifts.  There are no formal tours of the garden, but volunteers need to be in the garden area to answer questions from visitors as they walk through the garden.  These events are also used to publicize the upcoming Master Gardener classes.  Most of these events are in the morning.

Number Needed:  1-2 volunteers per shift

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