Lendonwood seeks volunteers for Spring Workday

Volunteers of all ages and abilities are invited to join in the Lendonwood Gardens “Wake Up the Garden” spring workday on Saturday, March 30. A wide range of tasks are available for willing hands to help get the botanical garden ready for the coming tourist season.

Jim Reynolds, coordinator of the event, said members of Grove Rotary Club often help out during the spring and fall workdays, but others in the community also are needed. Lendonwood has no paid employees; volunteers maintain the entire eight-acre garden.

“Spring workday at Lendonwood is an ideal venue for experiencing the value and fun of volunteerism,” he said. Families with older children are welcome, as well as local youth groups, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and members of Interact, the student organization affiliated with Rotary.

“We also invite members of local organizations, such as garden clubs and the Newcomers Club, as well as companies whose employees are seeking service hours,” Reynolds said.  

“Our workday doesn’t require a green thumb, just a willingness to pitch in,” he said.  “Not everyone can stay for the entire time, but we appreciate any amount of time.”  

Volunteers should gather at 8:30 a.m. by the barn at the back of the garden for donuts and coffee, while workday teams are formed. Jobs typically range from light tasks to heavy-equipment operation.

This year, workday tasks will include repairing fences, trimming grasses, sowing seeds, planting perennials, pruning shrubs, spreading mulch, painting, potting seedlings, cleaning benches, and a multitude of other jobs.

Supplies for the various projects will be available, although volunteers should bring their own gloves and wear comfortable work clothes. The workday is usually completed by about 2 p.m.

Lunch will be provided by Lendonwood board members.

In case of bad weather, the spring workday will be held on Saturday, April 6. For more information about the March 30 workday, contact Jim Reynolds at 918-645-8458.

Lendonwood is an eight-acre public botanical garden located at 1308 Har-Ber Road in Grove. The garden is operated by a local Board of Directors, supported by volunteer labor, memberships and gate receipts. Major collections include azaleas, rhododendrons, dogwoods, Japanese maple trees, hostas, daylilies and evergreen trees. The garden draws visitors from throughout the U.S. and around the world.