This opportunity gives participants the chance to meet new people, learn new gardening skills and gain the satisfaction of knowing that the time spent helping is greatly appreciated. Perry guides volunteers in learning to identify and reduce weeds, how and when to deadhead and prune, and what and how to compost. She also teaches both common and Latin plant names. Workers leave with tips to use in their own yards.

Many volunteers bring lunch to spend some additional time socializing with the other workers. Perry tries to match participants to the task that best suits his or her needs so that the time spent is enjoyable.

Work days are scheduled from 9 a.m. through noon on April 21, May 2 and 23, June 9 and 20, July 7 and 18, Aug. 4 and 15, Sept. 1, 12 and 26, Oct. 13 and 24 and Nov. 3.