Community Garden Rules

[dfollett]

Some friends and neighbors asked if I could give them some help setting up a community garden. It is not something I will be using myself, but I told them I would try to help them get things organized. I'd like to help them but don't really know where to start.

I assume a community garden ought to have some sort of bylaws, rules or regulations to govern usage and keep things organized and fair. Do any of you who participate in community gardens have access to a set of rules, bylaws or whatever documentation that controls participation in the garden?

What are the land-mines that they need to watch out for? Any and all input and recommendations will be appreciated.

[Rockporter]

Insurance for anything you think could be possible to protect yourselves from. People are so happy to jump on the legal wagon when they see a payout. I was using a community garden plot at one time and I don't remember any set rules other than pay on time or lose your spot because there are many others waiting in line. Everyone paid the same amount regardless of age, and all spots were the same size. Everyone participated in building garden beds which had to be wheelchair space approved so anyone could garden. Everyone was required to spend time in the garden to weed pathways and make any improvements needed for the garden. But the biggest thing is the insurance to protect yourselves.

[bitterwort]

You might suggest that your friends do some searching to see what fits their size and circumstances and ultimate goals. Search for rules related to allotments in the UK as well. I believe there may be as many variations as there are for, say, chili recipes.

The rules for our community garden, a large and old one, can be found here: http://www.dowlingcommunitygarden.org/pages/rules.htm

They're rather extensive and most likely overkill for a new garden. Feel free to look around the site, but note that a new person has apparently taken over site maintenance recently and some of the pages don't seem to be rendering correctly. Good luck!

[habitat_gardener]

Wow-- those rules sound strict.

In my experience with several community gardens, compliance/enforcement has been an issue. The rules state that paths must be weeded etc., but what happens if they're not? In most cases, nothing.

A few years ago, in my year-round gardening climate, I had a neighbor who abandoned his plot by mid Sept. And Didn't return until around May. Several generations of weeds grew up and spread their seeds. Tomatoes rotted or were eaten by rats, as were berries, squashes, and other produce.he finally gave up the plot.

Some additional rules:

No invasive plants

No trees or shrubs over 5-6 ft. High

Raspberry patches can be no more than 2 ft. Wide
(This rule was added because one plot was all raspberries and never maintained, so it became a rat haven. The gardener said there was no rule that required berry patches to be maintained, so a rule was added!)

[Rockporter]

Originally Posted by habitat_gardener

Wow-- those rules sound strict.

In my experience with several community gardens, compliance/enforcement has been an issue. The rules state that paths must be weeded etc., but what happens if they're not? In most cases, nothing.

No weeding in our gardens means a lot of sticker burrs, stinging nettles, crabgrass and numerous other obnoxious weeds you don't want to walk through, or stand in while working your garden bed. So, if your neighbor isn't helping out in the garden by doing their part, it would fall on you to take care of it. People only get so many chances to take care of the garden, and if they aren't participating for any reason they need to find someone willing to do it for them.

[dfollett]

Thanks for the input. I just did some searching and I think you're correct. There are as many variations as chili recipes. There is a lot of information available.

[Father'sDaughter]

Glad you found some resources to help your friends.

I know many of the gardens around here do not guarantee a gardener the same plot every year and each plot must be completely cleared by the end of the season. However, if you follow the rules, then you have first option on the same plot the following year. If you ignore the rules you get bumped, possibly to the waiting list, for the following year, or completely banned if your infractions were severe enough.

While it means you can never plant perrenials or install any permanent structures or supports, it does give the garden owners/organizers/leaders a clear way to enforce the rules and dish out consequences to problem gardeners.

[dmforcier]

Originally Posted by bitterwort

Search for rules related to allotments in the UK as well.

I did that when we were setting up a garden. Fascinating history. For instance, the real reason that small medieval farming villages coalesced was so that several families could share their version of the tractor -- oxen -- to work the large but untitled common areas. The land was shared out by number of plow furrows, which look like strips on the ground. Thus to this day, allotments - the remnant of the common land system - is often allocated in strips. Over here we do it in squares.

Unfortunately, I didn't find much directly applicable to community gardens here.

One thing that I will emphasize, though, is that many participants will pay and start off enthusiastically, then disappear. You will need rules to deal with this. I recommend that everyone pay up front rather than periodically, or you'll be stuck with plots too late in the season to reallocate, so no income. Also, the procedure for "repossessing" plots needs to be crystal clear. Run the stuff past an attorney.

Good luck!

[imp]

In Utah, you have a great Ag dept., and they can walk you through the process after talking with you about the goals and needs of the garden. I am also going to send you a phone number for Mike. who runs the MLK center and our community gardens here- he is terrific and may be able to help or advise.