On November 10th, 2024, members of the Great Neck chapter of AYLUS volunteered for a community garden cleanup project where everyone helped prepare the garden for winter. The tasks involved pulling weeds, raking leaves, and clearing out dead plants to ensure the garden is healthy for the next growing season. We worked together and were led by a garden coordinator who explained each task and why it was important.
The first job the groups tackled was pulling weeds. Some weeds were easy to pull out, but others had deep roots and required extra effort. Removing weeds is necessary to prevent them from taking over the garden beds and competing with plants for nutrients.
Next, we moved on to raking leaves. We gathered fallen leaves into piles and then collected them in bags to be composted. The garden looked much neater, and removing the leaves helped prevent rot and mold from forming, which can harm plants and attract pests. We also learned that some leaves can be left on the soil to act as a natural mulch, protecting plant roots from harsh winter temperatures.
Finally, we cleared away dead plants from the garden beds. Dead plants can harbor pests and diseases, so it’s essential to remove them before winter. This task required paying attention to details since some plants still had healthy parts that we left alone. We gained a better understanding of why it’s important to clear away dead plants regularly and how it helps keep the garden healthy in the long run.
Overall, volunteering in the garden cleanup taught everyone a lot about seasonal garden care. We learned the value of each step in the process and how these efforts support the health of plants and the soil. This experience showed that taking care of a garden involves more than planting; it requires ongoing care and preparation, especially before winter.
Reporter: Eva Westbay
Volunteers (2.5 hours):
Jerry Li
BobXia
Chloe Wang
Linzi Yeung
Meixin Ding
Chang Guo
Rongjin Li
Shiyi Ji
Sabrina Yang
Crystal Chen
Raymond Li
Zhaoyu Liu
Yiqing Lu
Elaine Zhang
Liv Liu
Marcus Yu
Jason Zeng
Isla Zeng
Eva Westbay
Ian Tong