Community CROPS Garden Policy

Community CROPS Garden Policy and Application for NEW GARDENERS

If you have any questions, contact Community CROPS at 402-474-9802 or crops@communitycrops.org

Download application packet for new gardeners to print.

Link to on-line application is below the policy.

Community Garden Members

Community Gardeners are members of Community CROPS. When you garden with CROPS you also become a member. There are many community benefits that are available to you as a member of Community CROPS.

Membership benefits

reduced costs to classes and workshop

access to free plants and seeds

access to other gardening resources like tomato cages (free or reduced cost, as they become available)

educational support: we are here to answer any gardening question you may have

CROPS newsletter

notification of all classes and events

Gardener Responsibilities

Plot fee

$25 Clean-up Deposit

Required Garden Management Training (mid April)

Garden Rules

Required English contact person for non-English speakers

Fees are necessary to cover the cost of water, resources and management. It also increases gardener responsibility and investment in the garden and the program. No refunds on plot fee or deposit after June 1st.

Size	Cost	Square Feet	Square Meters	Sample Sizes (in feet)
Small	$50	less than 199 SF	less than 18	10x10 to 10x19.5 garden
Medium	$100	200-299 SF	18.5-28	10x20 to 10x29.5 garden
Larger plots are available for experienced gardeners. Contact us for details
FREE plots are available for all low-income families with a Financial Assistance Application. Your only cost will be the $25 clean up deposit. Others can apply for a work trade to cover your plot fee.

All gardeners must pay a $25 clean up deposit for the plot, in addition to the garden fee. The deposit will be refunded at the end of the season when the plot is clean.

Garden Rules

General

Application: A current application must be on file and fees paid to receive a plot to garden.
Garden Training: All gardeners are required to attend The Garden Management Training before being able to start gardening each year.
Organic Only: All Community Gardens are organic gardens. Gardeners must use organic growing methods, fertilizers and sprays. Contact us if you need help.
Returning gardeners may return to same plot each year after a) turning in a returning gardener application by November 1st. b) plot is cleaned up by November 1st. c) clean-up deposit will be applied to following year.
Pets: No pets (for the safety and enjoyment of everyone)
Trash: There are no trash cans at the garden. If you bring it to the garden then you must take it home with you. Please pick up any other trash that you see in the garden. No trash of any kind should be left at the site.
Maintenance: All gardeners must share in the maintenance of the garden including: sitting areas, compost bins, weeding, mulching paths, turning water off and putting hoses away, keeping tool sheds and tools clean.
Tools: All tools must be returned to tool box/shed after every use. You cannot keep them or take them off-site. Community tools will be labeled.
Personal Responsibility: Gardeners are responsible for themselves, children and any personal property brought into the garden.
Hours: The garden area is open dawn until dusk, seven days a week.
Plot Stakes: Plot corners are clearly marked with stakes. Please do not remove these stakes during the season. Metal stakes throughout the site are permanent boundary markers and should not be moved.
Weeds: Please dispose of weeds and plant materials in designated compost areas.
Harvesting: Crops must be harvested once they are mature. If you do not feel you can use all of them please contact your Site Coordinator, Community CROPS or arrange for donation.
Absent from garden: If someone else will tend your plot or pick your vegetables while you are sick or out of town, give the person a signed note and notify your Site Coordinator or CROPS. If you cannot garden any more, contact Amy or Jessica at CROPS 474-9802.
Permissions: If you want someone to work your plot or pick your vegetables when you are sick or away, give that person a signed note and notify your Site Coordinator or Community CROPS.
Behavior: Alcohol, drugs, violence, stealing or vandalism are not allowed in the community gardens. Participating in any of these activities may result in removal from program and loss of garden plot. This includes taking vegetables or plants from other gardens. If you observe any of these activities notify your Site Coordinator or Community CROPS immediately, 474-9802.

Garden Plots
Restricted Plants: Plant what you want in your plot, no noxious weeds or invasive plants. Restricted plants include: jerusalem artichokes, mint (can plant in a container but not in the ground), morning glories and bamboo.
June 1st: Garden plots must be planted by this date or space will be given to someone else.
Cleaned Plots: Plots must be cleaned up by November 1st to receive full clean up deposit or to apply deposit to next year’s garden. A cleaned up garden means that all tomato stakes & cages are removed, all dead plants, including weeds, removed. Plot must look neat and tidy to be considered cleaned-up. Plants still growing and being harvested may remain.
Keep plants inside your plot. Plants must be kept out of other gardener’s plots or paths; any plants growing outside of plot may be trimmed or cut back by Community CROPS or Site Coordinator without notice.
Tilling: Gardeners are responsible for the tilling of their own plot. (We recommend no till garden methods, ask us how)
Tall crops: Plant tall crops like corn, where they will not shade neighboring plots.

Water
Use: Shut water off after every use and keep hoses rolled up.
Water problems: Please report any problems with water being left on or leaking to Site Coordinator or Community CROPS.
Unattended watering is not permitted. Water may NEVER be left on after you leave the garden site. Fines or removal from program may be possible.
Conservation: Please conserve water: mulch garden with leaves, grass clippings, or straw to reduce water evaporation. Mulching also reduces weeds.

Paths
Mulching: Everyone must help maintain the MAIN mulched garden paths.
No weeds or dirt in paths and all food crops must be kept from growing on or over paths.

Compost Bins
Maintenance: All gardeners must help maintain garden compost bins. Turn or bury contents each time when adding new material to compost bin.
Using compost: Everyone is free to use any of the compost that is ready. Please take only your fair share.
Size of material: All material put into compost bins must be smaller than 6 inches. All plant stems must be cut into 6 inch pieces or smaller. Small pieces help the compost to break down quicker.

Other
Financial assistance is available to those who cannot afford the CROPS plot fee, but you will still need to pay the $25 clean-up deposit. A financial assistance application is available with the garden application.

Your compliance with the above regulations will help everyone have an enjoyable and productive garden. Failure to comply with the regulations during the season may result in a loss of future gardening privileges. If you have any questions, suggestions, or complaints, please contact Community Garden Program Manager, Amy Brt, 474-9802.

Important Dates for 2010

January 8th: Returning gardener applications available.
February 1st: New gardener applications available.
Mid April: Mandatory Garden Management Training. You can start gardening after the training.
June 1st: Must have planted in garden plot or it will be given to someone else.
August 1st: Garden Check: Plots not being taken care of or where food is not being picked will be reassigned.
October 1st: Returning gardener applications available for the next year.
November 1st: Plot must be cleaned up or lose deposit.
November 1st: Returning gardener application due date for 2011.

Download application packet for new gardeners to print.