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A member's garden with young plants and strawberry plants

Clean-Up Task List

June 13, 2026

COMPOSTING:

  • Turn the first pile into Bin 2: Layer older and newer materials so that Bin 2 can heat up. Be sure to build in even layers so the pile has strong structure.

  • To prepare for Clean-Up, Karyl Weber sifted Bin 4 and turned Bin 3, and John Ventre turned Bin 2 into Bin 3. 

WEEDING/MULCHING: 
Weeds to target: Bindweed, Creeping Charlie, invasive clematis, dandelions, Star of Bethlehem, Virginia creeper, dandelions, etc. Unless noted, cut-up weeds go in compost--consult hand-out for info.

  • Inside and outside front gate--be sure to hit the area west of the West Gate--which has been getting neglected. .

    • Dig out the oat grass!

  • The Orchard (and behind the fig trees up the west fence garden): Ask Suzanne Schecter for direction.

  • Flower &  Herb Garden: Weed perimeter and obvious weeds in beds: Ask Lisa Torrieri for directon.

  • Rock garden south of the Composting Toilet (and under the cement bench).

    •  Note, sophora seedlings and pods are abundant here.

    • Remove English ivy around tree.

  • Pollinator garden.

  • New NW Garden: Ask Lauren Krohn for direction.

    • Add some compost if available.

  • Grape Arbor

  • Do not weed in the Shade Garden. 

Bindweed is taking over throughout the garden. Here's what works to kill it. 

  • Consistent clipping. Snip or hoe the vines down to ground level every time they emerge (once a week). Forcing regrowth depletes the plant's energy reserves and it eventually dies.

  • Smother with weed barrier fabric or cardboard that you wet after you put it down; top with several inches of dense mulch.

  • Spray a mixture of undiluted white vinegar and a drop of dish soap directly on the foliage on a sunny day. 

  • Never compost! Throw them in the trash

After weeding, mulch! Ask Lisa Rubens and Area Leads for direction.

PRUNING / TRIMMING 

  • West Gate/Front Garden/Street: 

    • Cut down the Redbud Tree starts along the front fence.

    • Cut suckers on street trees.

CITY HARVEST: Ask Janice Chorba and Ed Mitinger for direction.

HOUSEKEEPING AND MAINTENANCE

  • Spread remaining wood chips.

  • Composting Toilet: Sweep, clean surfaces, check supplies.

  • New NW Garden: Finish staining lattice fence and erect (if it dries!): Ask Lauren Krohn for direction..

  • Outside West Gate: Attach Little Seed library sign.

  • Bird Baths: Refill water in all six (and anytime you see them empty).

  • Shed: Straighten out, check supplies (contractor and garden waste bags, etc.), sweep.

  • Grape Arbor: Sweep!

  • Patio: Sweep at the end of the clean-up!

Southwark/Queen Village Community Garden

311-333 Christian Street

Philadelphia, PA 19147

swqvgarden@gmail.com

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