Free Monthly Soil Testing

April 4 @ 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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Calling all beginning and aspiring photographers: join us for a fun and informative fall foliage mobile photography workshop, where Roger Williams Park will be your subject!

Local photographer and RWPC Program Manager José Ramirez (@jram9808) will offer his expertise and instruction before encouraging participants to explore and apply newly learned techniques to capture the beauty of the Park during the fall season! All you need is the camera on your phone.

This workshop is open to ages 10+, and those under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. This limited-capacity event is capped at 15 people, so RSVP to reserve your ticket before they run out (link in bio)!

📷 This Saturday, October 10
🍂 10 AM – 12 PM
🍁 Meet outside the Clark Dalrymple Boathouse

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Open post by rogerwilliamspark with ID 18142768288597329
Calling all beginning and aspiring photographers: join us for a fun and informative fall foliage mobile photography workshop, where Roger Williams Park will be your subject! Local photographer and RWPC Program Manager José Ramirez (@jram9808) will offer his expertise and instruction before encouraging participants to explore and apply newly learned techniques to capture the beauty of the Park during the fall season! All you need is the camera on your phone. This workshop is open to ages 10+, and those under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. This limited-capacity event is capped at 15 people, so RSVP to reserve your ticket before they run out (link in bio)! 📷 This Saturday, October 10 🍂 10 AM – 12 PM 🍁 Meet outside the Clark Dalrymple Boathouse

Tomorrow is the official start of WALKtober at Roger Williams Park!

All month long, every step counts toward your chance to win fun prizes! Keep track of your steps using the free STRAVA app (or method of your choice), and submit your MILEstone achievements of 6, 13.1, and 26.2 miles for a chance to win free tickets to the @rwpbotanicalcenter, @rwpzoo Holiday Lights, a seasonal Family Skating pass at the @providencerink, or park swag.

Hit the RWP trails for your daily walk, and get extra steps in by signing up for these events with @rwpmuseum, @stormwaterinnovationcenter, and our Friday Partner Peace Walks with @nonviolenceinstitute! Learn more and sign up by following the link in bio.

We`re excited to present Walktober in partnership with @pvdparks and AARP Rhode Island.

44 1
Open post by rogerwilliamspark with ID 17984966748074527
Tomorrow is the official start of WALKtober at Roger Williams Park! All month long, every step counts toward your chance to win fun prizes! Keep track of your steps using the free STRAVA app (or method of your choice), and submit your MILEstone achievements of 6, 13.1, and 26.2 miles for a chance to win free tickets to the @rwpbotanicalcenter, @rwpzoo Holiday Lights, a seasonal Family Skating pass at the @providencerink, or park swag. Hit the RWP trails for your daily walk, and get extra steps in by signing up for these events with @rwpmuseum, @stormwaterinnovationcenter, and our Friday Partner Peace Walks with @nonviolenceinstitute! Learn more and sign up by following the link in bio. We're excited to present Walktober in partnership with @pvdparks and AARP Rhode Island.

Head over to the Temple to Music next Wednesday, September 30, from 12-2 PM to make art inspired by the beauty of the park! Julie Gearan hosts a free art activity, Slow Looking in Color and Line, with all the supplies provided. All experience levels are welcome!

Thank you to @risca1967 for helping make this event possible!

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Open post by rogerwilliamspark with ID 17906466585559618
Head over to the Temple to Music next Wednesday, September 30, from 12-2 PM to make art inspired by the beauty of the park! Julie Gearan hosts a free art activity, Slow Looking in Color and Line, with all the supplies provided. All experience levels are welcome! Thank you to @risca1967 for helping make this event possible!

In August, we took a tour of the Roger Williams Park Produce Donation Garden with garden leaders Kim and Deb to see what they were harvesting! Sponsored by the @rwpbotanicalcenter and run by volunteer @urimastergardeners, this flourishing vegetable garden feeds the community by growing and donating fresh, organic produce to local food banks and kitchens, and serves as public education.

They’re on track to grow over 3,500 pounds of food this year! 🍅🫑

The resourceful team of volunteers relies on help from the community. Visit the link in bio to learn more and see their wishlist of items ranging from lumber and hardware cloth to tools and supplies.

Stay tuned for part 2! 🌱

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Open post by rogerwilliamspark with ID 17994824874020506
In August, we took a tour of the Roger Williams Park Produce Donation Garden with garden leaders Kim and Deb to see what they were harvesting! Sponsored by the @rwpbotanicalcenter and run by volunteer @urimastergardeners, this flourishing vegetable garden feeds the community by growing and donating fresh, organic produce to local food banks and kitchens, and serves as public education. They’re on track to grow over 3,500 pounds of food this year! 🍅🫑 The resourceful team of volunteers relies on help from the community. Visit the link in bio to learn more and see their wishlist of items ranging from lumber and hardware cloth to tools and supplies. Stay tuned for part 2! 🌱
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.
© 2026 Roger Williams Park. All Rights Reserved.
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