Garden Meetings

*Please note that this is our agenda with "highlights" from the meeting in blue.*

June 4, 2026 6:30-8:00 at the garden

1. WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

2. GARDENER ENGAGEMENT

Record your completed hours https://bit.ly/DPCGhours 

Facebook: Davis Park Garden. //http:www.facebook.com/davisparkgarden/ Instagram: instagram.com/davisparkcommunitygardenri

3. WORKING WITH YOUR TEAMS 

   1. Team Leader contact information has been sent out. 

      1. Team leaders and their email addresses are hanging in the garden. Please email them if you see something that needs attention.

      2. Reach out if you have not heard from them already.

      3. Remember to log your hours. 

      4. Ask for assistance if you are not sure what to do or how to do it!

      5. Share your ideas and try things to make our community garden better.

4. 2026 DPCG INITIATIVES IN ORDER OR PRIORITY

   1. Weeding Team & All gardeners (Lead Mike)– WEEDING  

      1. Please continue weeding common areas, including path and areas between plots

      2. Suggestion that all take on weeding between their plots. 

      3. Invasive weeds should not be put into the compost section but rather should be placed in the trash near the shed.

      4. Images of beneficial weeds and invasive weeds to be posted inside the shed.

   2. Picking up Wood Chips - (Lead Steven)

      1. Do we have anyone with access to a truck to get a load or two of wood chips from the city?

      2. Suggestion by Roby N to locate and price out delivery for 5 cu.yds of rough cut chips from arborist/landscaper.

      3. Going forward we will have DPCG on the spring and fall schedule for wood chips.

   3. Carpentry & Repair and Shared Crop Team (Lead Ben, Steven, Tera) – BERRY NETTING 

      1. Materials have been ordered.  The construction date needs to be set.

      2. A message will be sent out to the garden when a date and time is set for this project to take place. 

   4. Compost Team (Lead Tera) – COMPOST OVERHAUL 

      1. Yard bags will be used to remove material from current bins

         1. This will allow for the system to be overhauled and hopefully provide for more efficiency and less need to shuffle material from bin to bin.

         2. John B offered to ask and get a free bin from RI Resource Recovery that can be used

      2. Assistance from Compost Depot may occur. Tera has reached out to Michael B.

   5. Plot repair and new plot construction  (Lead Ben and Tera)- 

      1. Prioritize current need before building new

      2. Most often it is best to construct new rather than to try to repair as the wood posts and boards deteriorate. 

      3. Please let us know if your plot is in need of re-building so that we can assess and prioritize.

      4. Assess based on ability of funds / grant opportunities

   6. The Meadow (Lead Tera)

      1. This area is also in need of volunteers

      2. Will update when more information is available from RI Master Gardeners and previous lead, Lee Smith

   7. Front Lawn/Grassy Area - (Lead Ben)

      1. Ideas for use

      2. For now we can keep it mowed! A “new to us” electric / battery powered mower is in the shed. 

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSIONS THAT WERE NOT ON THE AGENDA

8. Grapes

   1. Most of the grapes have been cut down. Heidi G is working to revitalize them. 

   2. Heidi has also completed the Master Gardener program and shared with us the importance of sanitizing shared garden tools. 

      1. Further communication and set up will be shared with gardeners in the future. 

9. Pest Control

   1. Please reach out to Ben or Tera if you see evidence of woodchuck, groundhog, or rats in the garden. 

   2. Re: bait boxes - These boxes are filled weekly with “Evolve” - which is a non-lethal birth control. 

10. Plant-identification 

    1. It was suggested that plants / herbs / etc that can be labeled in community areas and your own plots might be helpful to inform others. 

       1. We can learn together!

11. Thank yous

    1.  Janet B for the nametags and plot # flags

    2. Ben and Steven for taking the lead on the 2026 season

    3. Sheila for collecting contracts and funds

    4. Jen for communication