GreenThumb EarthMonth
Kick off the start of the community garden season by celebrating Earth Day all April long!
Learn new skills at one of GreenThumb's free events this month and then attend one of our volunteer workdays at a GreenThumb garden to practice that skill!
If you are new to community gardening, this is a great opportunity to get to know community gardeners at these gardens and learn how to become a garden member.
If your corporate, school, or other community group would like to join one the volunteer events listed below, please fill out the NYC Parks Group Contact Form.
GreenThumb garden members, if you would like to host a public volunteer workday in your community garden in April, please fill out the 2025 EarthMonth at GreenThumb form. This is a great time to engage with new volunteers/prospective members and tackle projects ahead of the growing season. Volunteer projects can include, but are not limited to, building raised beds, starting/planting seeds, general clean-up, and other special projects.
GreenThumb EarthMonth Events
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Create A Welcome Station For Your Garden
at Hornaday Community Garden, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Do you want a welcoming way to greet visitors in your garden? Join Lillian, our GreenThumb instructor, for a hands-on workshop to build a welcome station.
Free!
Event
Earth Day Volunteer Day
at Clayton Williams Garden, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join Clayton Williams Community Garden for a volunteer workday to help with starting seeds, building raised beds, and spreading mulch.
Free!
Event
Volunteer Workday: Garden of Life
at Garden of Life (in ), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn how to join a GreenThumb garden and engage in EarthMonth activities, such as building trellises and spreading soil.
Free!
Community Garden Work Day
at Myrtle Village Green Community Garden, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join Myrtle Village Green for a celebration of EarthMonth! We’ll be having fun with garden projects like painting, building borders, and cleaning up.
Free!
Hotbox Community Build Day w/ The Brotherhood Sister Sol
at ENY Youth Farm, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Learn more about The HotBox Composting system: a unique thermophilic food waste processing bin that is rodent-proof, super efficient, and takes minimal effort to manage.
Free!
Earth Week Volunteer Day
at Bronx Sunshine Garden (in ), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Come to Bronx Sunshine Garden and join the garden group and The Mission Continues for a volunteer work day! Assist with repairing planter beds, cleaning debris, and more!
Free!
Volunteer Workday at Padre Plaza
at Padre Plaza, Success Garden (in ), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the members of Padra Plaza! Volunteers will help the gardeners remove weeds and debris and spread earth matter.
Free!
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Spring Cleanup Volunteer Day
at Robert L. Clinkscales Playground and Community Garden, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Come meet the gardeners and lend a hand! Volunteers will assist with removing weeds, cleaning garden structures, and clearing the walkways for Senior members.
Free!
Volunteer Workday at Krystal Community Garden
at Krystal Community Garden
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to Krystal Community Garden! Volunteers will assist with repairing raised garden beds and install temporary greenhouse covers for seed starting.
Free!
Monday, April 7, 2025
Help Build Raised Beds & Enhance The Garden
at Hornaday Community Garden, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Come lend a hand to Hornaday Community Garden! Volunteers will help the gardeners build new raised garden beds, prune trees & shrubs, and plant spring seeds.
Free!
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Seed Starting Volunteer Workday
at El Batey de Doña Provi, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Participants will practice beginner-friendly gardening skills and learn how to become an active garden member.
Free!
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Introduction to Basic Building Tools: Empowering People in DIY Skills
at Myrtle Village Green Community Garden, Brooklyn
5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Build your confidence and skills with tools in this welcoming course centering femme-presenting individuals interested in DIY and construction.
Free!
Event
Saturday, April 12, 2025
RESCHEDULED: Volunteer Garden Cleanup
at Good Shepherds Community Group, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the members of Good Shepherds Community Group! Volunteers will help with cleaning up debris, testing & expanding the irrigation system, and starting seeds.
Free!
Volunteer Day at Jardin de la Familia
at Jardín de la Familia, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the garden members! Volunteers will help the gardeners prepare for the growing season by cleaning debris, pulling weeds, starting seeds, and more.
Free!
Volunteer Workday at Moffat Street Community Garden
at Moffat Street Community Garden, Brooklyn 

10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Come lend a hand to the members of Moffat Street Community Garden! Volunteers will help the gardeners build raised beds utilized for growing food.
Free!
Volunteer Workday: Citizens for a Better Community Garden
at Citizens for a Better Community Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn how to join a GreenThumb garden and engage in EarthMonth activities, such as filling raised beds with soil and disassembling plant structures.
Free!
Volunteer Workday: Garden of Eden
at Garden of Eden, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join Garden of Eden for a volunteer workday where we will handle seasonal maintenance tasks. Bring water, snacks, and comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing.
Free!
Building a Collapsible Trellis for Growing Food Vine Plants: A Beginner’s Class
at Greene Acres Community Garden, Brooklyn 

11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Create a foldable trellis to support tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, and beans.
Free!
Spring Awakening: A Community Composting Event
at Frank White Memorial Garden (in ), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
This will be an opportunity to learn about Hot Box Composting and to network with other community farmers in NYC.
Free!
Berry Street Garden Earth Day
at Berry Street Garden
1:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the members of Berry Street Garden! Volunteers will help the gardeners plant seeds and create recycled art.
Free!
Care for the Earth Day
at Powers St. Community Garden, Brooklyn, Olive Street Garden, Brooklyn
2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join Olive Street Garden and Powers Street Community Garden for a volunteer workday to start seeds and beautify the gardens!
Free!
Tree Care and Compost Application with Big Reuse
at Smiling Hogshead Ranch, Queens
3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Join us for a unique tree care event where we will care for both street trees and trees in the edible food forest at Smiling Hogshead Ranch.
Free!
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Spring Garden Prep Volunteer Workday
at Melrose New Generation Community Garden, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join Melrose New Generation Community Garden for a fun-filled day of getting the garden ready for spring! Participants will assist with planting, weeding, and general garden maintenance.
Free!
Monday, April 14, 2025
Volunteer Garden Workday at Sweetgum Community Garden
at Sweetgum Community Garden
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the members of Sweetgum Community Garden! Volunteers will help prepare the garden for spring by cleaning debris, pulling weeds, and planting vegetable seeds.
Free!
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Getting Ready for Spring Planting - Ponderosa Workday
at Ponderosa Garden, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
The Ponderosa Community Garden is getting ready for the 2025 season! Help the garden group replace old beds, build new beds, and many other related chores.
Free!
Power Tools 101: A Beginner’s Guide for All New Users
at Seasons of Vision Garden, Brooklyn
5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
This beginner-friendly course, designed for femme presenting people but open to all, covers tool types, safety, hands-on practice, and project tips.
Free!
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Garden Bench Build Volunteer Workday
at Jardin de las Rosas, Bronx
12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join Jardin de las Rosas for a volunteer day to clean up the garden and build new garden benches! Participants will practice basic carpentry skills and learn how to become an active garden member.
Free!
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Raised Bed Build Volunteer Day
at Good Life Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the members of Good Life Garden! Volunteers will learn and practice carpentry skills by assisting gardeners with building raised garden beds.
Free!
Volunteer Garden Workday at Vernon & Throop Community Garden
at Vernon and Throop Community Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the members of Vernon & Throop Community Garden! Volunteers will help prepare the garden for spring by cleaning debris, pulling weeds, and organizing garden tools.
Free!
Volunteer Workday at JD Wilson Memorial Garden
at Joseph Daniel Wilson Memorial Garden (in ), Manhattan 

10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join Joseph Daniel Wilson Memorial Garden for a volunteer workday to help work on the pond, build a new kiddie table, turn and spread compost & more!
Free!
Prep the Garden Volunteer Day at Ujamaa Garden
at Ujamaa Community Garden, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the members of Ujamaa Northeast Community Garden! Volunteers will help the gardeners with cleaning up, organizing, spreading earth matter, and more.
Free!
Rat Academy Field Session
at Schomburg Arts Garden, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Learn more about rat management during this in-person session.
Free!
Garden Re-Design Volunteer Workday
at Las Casitas Community Garden, Bronx
12:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Build raised beds and redesign the space to accommodate more garden members! Participants will practice basic carpentry skills and learn how to become an active garden member.
Free!
Plant a Seed Day at Garden of Love
at Garden of Love, Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join Garden of Love for a volunteer workday to start seeds!
Free!
Compost Care Volunteer Day
at Bronx River Community Garden (in ), Bronx
12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Come lend a hand to Bronx Rover Community Garden! Volunteers will help turn and harvest compost and learn how to maintain a compost system.
Free!
Planting for the Future at Le Petit Versailles Garden
at Le Petit Versailles, Manhattan
2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Join Le Petit Versailles for a volunteer workday to meet community gardeners and assist with starting seeds, cleaning up, and general organization of the garden.
Free!
Sunday, April 20, 2025
Volunteer Garden Workday at Union Street Garden
at Union St. Garden and Community Development, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn about pollinator gardens and lend a hand with some springtime pruning of our extensive pollinator beds. Leave with a bundle of herbs or some pollinator seeds to plant at home!
Free!
Seeding and Weeding - Spring Gardening
at Pirate's Cove Garden
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Pirate's Cove Garden invites you to meet our garden and help us prepare for Spring! We will be mulching, planting, and seeding, as well as giving away seeds we collected in 2024.
Free!
Volunteer Workday at Green Oasis Garden
at Green Oasis Community Garden, Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the members of Green Oasis Community Garden! Volunteers will help with composting, pruning and weeding, and starting seeds.
Free!
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Sustainable Garden Watering: The Art of Using Ollas
at Amboy Street Garden, Brooklyn
6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Learn about using an olla, an unglazed terracotta pot that slowly hydrates your plants. This technique helps save water, especially during New York's drought.
Free!
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Hands-On Workshop: Decorating Hanging Baskets with Perennials
at Sweetgum Community Garden
6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Get your hands dirty and your creativity flowing in this fun interactive workshop on decorating hanging baskets with perennial plants!
Free!
Saturday, April 26, 2025
400 Montauk Celebrates Earth Day!
at 400 Montauk Community Garden, Brooklyn
12:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
400 Montauk Community Garden is celebrating Earth Day in East New York with a spring cleaning, planting, building beds. This event will also include garden membership sign up.
Free!
Grapevine Pruning & Trellis Building Workday
at Lincoln Road Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join Lincoln Road Garden for a hands-on volunteer workday! Volunteers will help prune existing grapevines and build a supportive trellis system.
Free!
Shed Build Volunteer Day
at People's Garden, Brooklyn 

10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the members of The People's Garden! Volunteers will learn and practice carpentry skills by assisting gardeners with building a new shed.
Free!
Volunteer Workday at Upon This Rock Community Garden
at Upon This Rock Community Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Join Upon This Rock Community Garden for a spring clean up! Volunteer will participate in a variety of garden tasks such as cleaning debris, weeding, tool organization, and spreading earth matter.
Free!
Volunteer Workday: Clifton Place Memorial Garden & Park
at Clifton Place Memorial Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn how to join a GreenThumb garden and engage in EarthMonth activities, such as building raised beds and planting a floral landscape.
Free!
Volunteer Garden Workday: Maple Street Community Garden
at Maple Street Community Garden, Brooklyn
10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Volunteers will assist with building a compost sifting table, transplanting seed starts, and general clean-up. There will also be fun wood carving, crafting activities, and a food demo.
Free!
Garden Bed Building Volunteer Day
at Her-King Alagantic Community Garden, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join Her-King Alagantic Community Garden for a volunteer workday to build metal garden beds.
Free!
Havemeyer Garden Association Rock Painting Fun Day
at Havemeyer Community Garden, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to Havemeyer Garden Association! Volunteers will assist with painting rocks and preparing the garden for the upcoming spring season.
Free!
Spring Seeds Day at Newkirk Community Garden
at Newkirk Community Garden, Brooklyn 

11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join Newkirk Community Garden for a volunteer workday to help with starting seeds ahead of the garden season! We may also participant in a general garden clean up and tool shed organization.
Free!