Free Monthly Soil Testing

October 3 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

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Event Series: Free Monthly Soil Testing

Free Monthly Soil Testing

April 4, May 2, June 6, September 5, October 3 from 10 AM-1 PM
During (Free) First Saturdays at the Botanical Center in Roger Williams Park

We’re excited to partner with URI’s Master Gardener program to provide free pH testing again this season. Testing your soil is a good way to learn more about the dirt under your feet. Healthier soil means healthier plants, which you really want to focus on when planting fruit and vegetable gardens. (We’re looking at you community garden plots!) In city environments, it’s especially important to know whether you have toxins in your yard before planting anything edible. High toxin levels are fairly common in our neighborhoods due to Providence’s industrial history, but we can work together to improve soil health!

To collect your soil sample:

  1. Get a small clean shovel and a container.
  2. Determine the area you want to test. Dig at least 6 inches down and place soil in your bag.
  3. Collect soil from several spots and mix it all together.
  4. Dry the soil sample. Spread the soil out on newspaper or a paper plate.
  5. Remove any stones, roots, and other debris.
  6. Finally, put about one (1) cup of the dry, mixed soil into a clean plastic or paper bag. Label it so you know where it came from!
  7. Bring it in. We’ll test the pH on site, evaluate texture, and give you recommendations to improve it.

2026 Soil Testing Schedule at the Botanical Center:

*Every (Free) First Saturday from 10am-1pm. Admission is free for Providence Residents every first Saturday of the month. Soil testing season at the Botanical Center takes place March through October. *No Soil Testing in July or August

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As the seasons begin to change, it`s a great time to reconnect with the natural world and slow down. We`re excited to partner with the @rwpbotanicalcenter to offer a free Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku) session on September 19 at 10 AM with Lee Ann. This guided experience invites you to breathe deeply, notice your surroundings, and open your senses to the sights, sounds, textures, and rhythms of the forest.

Lee Ann Freitas is the director of the Botanical Center and a Certified Forest Therapist, horticulturist, and a hardcore advocate for all things nature. She creates a welcoming and peaceful environment for participants to slow down, connect with nature, and be present.

The session is free, but registration is limited – sign up online (link in bio)!

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Open post by rogerwilliamspark with ID 18459480655187385
As the seasons begin to change, it's a great time to reconnect with the natural world and slow down. We're excited to partner with the @rwpbotanicalcenter to offer a free Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku) session on September 19 at 10 AM with Lee Ann. This guided experience invites you to breathe deeply, notice your surroundings, and open your senses to the sights, sounds, textures, and rhythms of the forest. Lee Ann Freitas is the director of the Botanical Center and a Certified Forest Therapist, horticulturist, and a hardcore advocate for all things nature. She creates a welcoming and peaceful environment for participants to slow down, connect with nature, and be present. The session is free, but registration is limited – sign up online (link in bio)!
In Partnership with:

1000 Elmwood Avenue Providence, RI 02907

The Roger Williams Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization, and is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal EIN (tax ID) number 47-4414743.
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