Community Garden Guidelines

Fort Bragg community garden plots are available to people of any race, gender, or religion.  They are available on a first come, first served basis.  Every garden member will be responsible for the maintenance of their individual plot as well as playing a role in the shared maintenance of the garden.  Every garden needs at least two people on the management team, a garden manager and a soil and irrigation manager.  We suggest the following four management jobs and all other garden members on maintenance crew.
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Garden Management Team
  • Garden Manager: Manages the garden and acts as a community liason; ensures a safe and healthy garden environment; helps resolves conflict when necessary; collects dues and handles registration; organizes purchases of organic soil amendments, compost, tools and materials; reports to the Garden Friendly Community Committee when necessary; preferably able to communicate in English and Spanish.
  • Assistant Garden Manager: Supports the Garden Manager and assists in organizing efforts; organizes meetings and communicates needs from gardeners; maintains tools and infrastructure; manages garbage and recycling on site; manages the Garden Maintenance Crew (see below); preferably able to communicate in English and Spanish.
  • Irrigation Manager: Monitors irrigation system and assists in repairs; monitors and enforces water allowance; serves gardeners as a resource in proper watering technique and system maintenance. 
  • Soil Manager: Serves gardeners as a resource in constructing, monitoring and maintaining compost piles; educates gardeners on how to achieve and maintain long term and consistent fertility throughout the garden; insures that all inputs are used in a safe and responsible manner and with long term garden fertility in mind; insures that only organic, OMRI approved inputs are used; communicates fertility needs to Garden Manager. 
All Garden Members
  • Garden Maintenance Crew: Works on an agreed schedule to maintain garden spaces, keeping them clean and inviting to ensure a safe and beautiful gardening environment. All garden members who do not have an assignment on the Management Team will share in this responsibility.  Maintenance jobs will be coordinated by the Management Team.
 
  • Garden and Plot Maintenance
  1. Plots shall be well maintained and gardened year round. Plots shall not be left fallow for a period of longer than 3 weeks. Cover crops shall be planted if the garden is not in use. Gardeners are encouraged to visit their plots 2-3 times per week. 
  2. Gardeners shall participate in all aspects of maintaining their garden plots and work within the organizational structure set by the Garden Manager striving for open communication to promote a healthy and respectful community environment.
  3. Gardeners shall only garden within their plot boundaries and shall be asked to participate in the maintenance of perennial areas or communal beds. Path areas must remain clear and free of debris, vining plants and tools. 
  4. Garden plots shall be maintained pest, weed and disease-free. All efforts to maintain the garden plot must be in accordance with organic standards. These standards will be communicated and monitored by the Management Team. Use of all inputs, whether soil amendments, fertilizers or pesticides must be communicated to and approved by the Soil Manager.  (Please use the Safe and Sane Pest Management document for a reference of pre-approved materials.)
  5. Make every effort to plant crops or set up trellises in a manner which does not shade or otherwise affect neighboring beds. Trees or shrubs over 3’ in height shall only be planted in designated perennial areas and upon approval by the Management Team. 
  6. If plots are left unattended or unmaintained a notice letter will be sent by the Garden Manager. If the issue is not resolved, the process outlined in Termination Procedure will be initiated. Your assigned garden plot(s) shall not go fallow or unused for a period of more than 3 weeks. If you plan to not use your garden plot(s) over the winter or during the main season, you are responsible for planting a cover crop.
  7. If Gardeners are absent for a prolonged period, they must communicate this with the Garden Manager and arrange to have their plot maintained during their absence. In this case, the contact information of additional gardeners must be provided to the Garden Manager and all waivers must be signed.
  8. All trash and recycling should be placed in their respective bins and compost materials in the appropriate area designated by the Management Team. Items brought from home must return home, and household trash is not to be left in the garden.
  9. Compost piles will be managed by the Soil Manager but should be maintained communally. Careful attention must be paid to rules outlined by the Soil Manager including what materials are appropriate for the compost pile and when the pile should be used. Compost piles should be built in designated areas. 
  10. In participating in this community garden, you agree to not plant federally illegal plants; that you will not smoke or vape, drink alcoholic beverages or use federally illegal drugs in the garden; you will not enter the garden under the influence of federally illegal drugs or alcohol; you will not bring in weapons, pets or other domestic animals into the garden.

  • Participation
  1. Events may be planned by the Management Team in, or associated with, the garden. Such events may include seed swaps, workshops, pot lucks, etc. Participating in these events enriches the community around the garden. We hope that you make an effort to attend these events. 
  2. The Management Team may hold garden meetings to address issues or organize efforts. Your agreement to be a member of the garden assumes you will participate in these meetings to maintain the garden.
  3. You are asked to contribute at least twelve hours per year working to maintain the garden outside of your own plot..
  4. Check the community board in the garden regularly for updates and announcements. 
  5. If your contact information changes, you are responsible for communicating these changes to the Management Team. 

  •  Conduct
  1. Guests, including visitors and children may only enter the garden accompanied by a Garden Member. They must follow all terms and conditions outlined in this document. Children must be supervised.
  2. Sharing tools, hoses and other garden resources is essential and communication is key. Please do not take anything without asking, especially from other gardeners or their plots. This includes harvests. 
  3. You will respect the rights of other gardeners to garden the way they want to. You will also respect them personally. This includes religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc. You will not use abusive or profane language or discriminate against others. 
  4. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep the garden a happy and safe place where all participants can socialize and work together. 
  5. You forfeit your right to sue the owner of the garden property. 

  • Tools and Infrastructure
  1. Basic tools and wheelbarrows are kept on site for communal use. All tools and hoses shall be kept in good condition, cleaned after use and returned to their proper location. Any damage or problems with equipment should be communicated immediately to the Garden Manager.
  2. Use tools for their intended purpose; return them in as good or better condition than they were when you used them; if you see a tool being misused, kindly offer guidance or assistance. 
  3. Any tools or personal items that are yours are your responsibility. 
  4. Make sure toolsheds, locks and gates are closed upon leaving the garden.
  5. The use of mechanized equipment is discouraged. If motorized tools are to be used speak with the Garden Manager. They should only be operated from the hours of 9AM until dusk. 

  •  Watering
  1. Make sure all watering is done with care: attempt to conserve water whenever possible; make sure water is turned off when finished watering; water with awareness of other gardeners and garden beds; make sure when moving the hose through the garden, that you do not pull it through someone else’s beds. 
  2. Watering will be monitored to maintain a trusting and respectful relationship with the land owner. Watering is to be done in accordance with the water conservation guidelines set by the Irrigation Manager. 
  3. Water may be shut off during cold periods of the year to prevent rupture of pipes due to freezing, and to rely on rain when it is available. 

  •  Plot Assignment
  1. Garden plots are allocated by the Garden Manager.
  2. All Gardeners must renew their contract each year. Registration for all garden plots should be done by April 1st  each year. Those wishing to renew must complete their renewal by April 1st  or forfeit their plot.

  •  Payment
  1. Payment for plots must be received by April 1st each year, prior to planting. Payments will be collected by the Garden Manager. 
  2. This garden is run on donations and any donations beyond the plot fee are greatly appreciated and can be earmarked for specific projects, the garden’s general fund or the local Garden Friendly Community effort as a whole. 
  3. Fees may increase based on water costs. In such cases gardeners will be notified immediately. 

  • Termination Procedure
  1.  The following procedure for warning and ultimately terminating the Garden Contract will be followed:
    1. A verbal warning from the Management Team.
    2. If the issue remains unresolved after 2 weeks a written warning will be given.
    3. If the issue remains unresolved following another 2 weeks you will receive notification that you have lost your plot.
  2. In the event of termination, plot fees will not be reimbursed.
  3. You may be allowed to reapply for a garden plot the following year at the discretion of the Management Team.

  • Hours of Operation
  1. The garden is open from dawn until dusk, unless otherwise noted.
  2. Make sure gates and infrastructure are closed and locked each day before leaving and each morning upon first arrival.