BEACH ROAD FARM COMMUNITY GARDEN
2012 GUIDELINES AND RULES
1. The 2012 season runs from February 1-November 30. First and last month’s rent will be due at the time of plot reservation. In November, Members will have the opportunity to reserve their plot with a deposit in the form of the following season’s first and last month’s rent. Doing so rewards continuing members with the opportunity to tend their plot through the winter, and rent-free. Otherwise, plots will be cleared and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. The monthly rent is $15/month for small plots (20’x20’) and $23/month for large plots (20’x40’). (Larger plots are available). The season runs for ten (10) months. Rent is due on the 1st of each month and can be placed in the mailbox on the building or given to Julie. (Make checks payable to Julie Congleton.)
3. New applications and signed waivers must be turned in by each member. A farm orientation and plot assignment must take place for each new member. These things must happen before any garden activities are to begin.
4. No pesticides will be used.
5. No herbicides will be used.
6. No chemical-based fertilizers will be used.
7. No livestock in the plots.
8. Plots and the surrounding paths around the plots will be kept free from weeds. Participants with weedy plots will be given a week’s notice to clean up the area. Failure to clean up the plot will result in forfeiture of the plot.
9. Remember plots share borders. Therefore, it is necessary for each gardener to maintain a path, un-planted, to allow for passing. You must be able to access your plants without walking on another plot. We suggest allowing a 1’ path on shared borders. Our plots are generously-sized and we feel that if everyone gives a little there will be functional paths that we all share in maintaining.
10. No overhead sprinklers in the small plots, please. Drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and hand watering is the preferred method of watering. In large rental spaces where necessary, and when it does not impact your fellow gardener; overhead sprinklers will be permitted.
Please, do not leave your hose unattended. First offense is a warning. Second offense is a $5 fine. Third offense and you will be asked to leave the farming community. Water is a very valuable commodity and your neighbor is on a different watering schedule.
11. Tools should be identified and left on the farm in the work shed at your own risk. The farm will not be held responsible for any missing tools. Everyone will supply their own water hoses.
12. Plots and surrounding paths will be kept free of trash and litter. Please take your garbage home with you.
13. Tall crops will not be planted in an area that will shade neighboring plots.
14. Vining crops will not be allowed to spread into pathways or other neighboring plots. Permanent pathways must always be kept free of plants, tools, materials to allow for mowing.
15. Pick only crops from your assigned plot.
16. Dispose of weeds and other disease-free plant residues in composting area.
17. Dogs are not allowed off leash. It is suggested that dogs should not be at the garden.
18. Gardeners forfeit their right to their plot if they don’t plant it within one month (unless plans are communicated other-wise), of if maintenance wanes.
19. No illegal plants are allowed on the farm.
20. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the farm.
21. Members must be present with a guest unless arrangements have been previously made with the farm manager.
22. The farm is a whole. As a community farm, we are a group of growers sharing land and an interest in ecological sustainability and crop abundance! To this end it is important to alert each other to any insect or disease questions that arise. Problems can spread quickly. It is suggested that pictures and conversations concerning pests and gardening practices can be shared on our facebook page Beach Road Farm.
Please let each other know about anything that looks the least bit suspicious. We’ll try to figure it out. We’re going to try to do a better job of identifying all insects we encounter this year. Along with organic inputs of OMRI certified fertilizers and pesticides, if necessary, we strongly suggest you practice crop rotations, not planting anything from the same crop family in the same place for at least 3 years. A garden journal with a sketch of your plantings is an invaluable tool.
23. Tractor tilling the community plots is a challenge. In colder climates community gardens usually have strict end and beginning dates. All tilling is done around these dates. We saw this past year that people garden differently and that late winter crops can be some of the best of the season. We don’t want to interfere with anyone’s garden dreams. Unfortunately, what we give up is a clear tilling schedule. Ideally, tilling happens all at once and right before planting, but there is no perfect time that will work for everyone. An example could be allowing your winter cover crop that is down now to get some more growth to supply beneficial nutrients to the subsequent crops and protect soil erosion, versus wanting to do an early planting of potatoes…?
We will strive to meet everyone’s desire for a tilled plot when and how it is requested, but keep in mind it might not always be possible. A general rule for early plantings is that they be hand dug, and done tight against one of the three borders (leaving 1’) of the plot other than the border shared with the main road. This will best allow the tractor to get in later (say, March 15) for the main tilling. Hand digging a row or two is not such a task when the cover crop is small and since the plots were tilled in the fall.
We have a front tine walk behind tiller and brush hog available, and hopefully these tools will help us get some work done easily. Call me, and we will work together to get your small garden plot tilled and mowed when necessary.
Large tractor till is still available when necessary; it is just more difficult to load up and haul the large tractor to the site.
If there is an expectation of your renting or hiring a big tractor for doing any of your tilling, please consult with Julie before you begin.
PRINTABLE APPLICATION AND RULES:
