Garden Rules

Turnberry Community Garden Rules and Regulations

[These are preliminary ideas for setting up the garden and tentative rules for discussion purposes]

Purpose
To provide a gardening space with individually and communally managed plots for Turnberry residents to grow organic herbs, vegetables, fruit, and flowers for themselves.

Garden Plots
Garden plots will consist of raised beds, and can be offered in several sizes. We will discuss plot sizes and garden layout at the meeting.

Some initial investment in infrastructure will be needed, as we would need to purchase lumber to construct the beds and garden soil/compost to fill them. Because the Association has no budget for the garden, the initial expense will need to be shared by the gardeners.

In addition to setting up the beds, we may wish to mulch the aisles and put up some fencing around the perimeter of the garden to deter animals.

Garden Dues
We may wish to create a budget for the garden and collect dues in order to raise funds needed for buying lumber, soil and mulch. We would keep a record of dues collected and expenses paid.

Watering
We would need to come up with a convenient way to water the garden. This could involve installing a water storage container that we can fill up with a hose as needed.

Garden Waste
We would need to devise a system for appropriate disposal of garden waste. This could consist of setting up a compost pile in a common area of the garden, and containers for trash and recycling for refuse that should not be composted (e.g., diseased plants, plastic) that we can empty into the appropriate dumpsters in the garage.

Garden Plot Fees
The Board may decide to charge a fee to offset expenses associated with the garden, such as increased water consumption. At the same time, savings achieved by reducing the size of the lawn that needs to be maintained, may make it unnecessary to charge anything.

Shared Spaces
We could add a designated shared space to plant food, herbs, and flowers for the benefit of all Turnberry residents. Some community gardens have herbs and flowers planted around the garden perimeter and allow all participants to harvest what they need.

Meetings
We may wish to schedule regular meetings of the garden members to share our progress and discuss ideas for improving the garden.

Volunteering
For community garden to succeed, we need to work together as a group on communal aspects of the garden. This includes helping with planning and set up of the garden infrastructure, and assisting with the maintenance and improvement of the garden throughout the gardening season.

Perennial plants
We may wish to plant some perennial plants or fruit trees in the common areas or around the garden, but should probably avoid them in individual plots.

Rules and Regulations

1. Garden plots are assigned to unit owners only and are not transferable.
   Unit owners may invite others to garden at their plot, but the responsibility for payment of fees, cleanup and other duties at the site remains with the unit owner responsible for the plot. Failure to maintain your plot and follow the guidelines below may result in fines, as determined by the Board, or in reassignment of your plot, at the discretion of the garden's steering committee. There are no refunds on plot fees paid.


2. The gardening season is from April 15 to November 15.
   Plots must be planted by June 10 because unplanted plots quickly become weedy. Plots must be cleared by the end of the day on November 15. At the end of the growing season, gardeners are responsible for clearing their plot of all plant and non-plant materials (string, wood, metal, plastic, etc.) and properly disposing of unwanted items. Unattended plots are subject to reassignment.


3. Turnberry Community Garden is an organic garden.
   Gardeners agree to adhere to organic growing practices. Do not apply herbicides (weed killers), synthetic chemical pesticides (insect killers), or fertilizers like miracle-Gro. Only natural fertilizers, insecticides and weed repellents are permitted. If you are not sure if something is allowed, please check with another gardener.


4. Each gardener is responsible for maintaining his or her garden plot and adjacent walkways throughout the gardening season.
   Planting, watering, weeding, harvesting and any other garden-related maintenance are all the responsibility of the gardener. All gardeners are required to keep their plots as disease- and weed-free as possible. Any diseased plants, seeds, or invasive weeds should be bagged and put in the trash so they do not spread. If a plot remains unattended for more than three weeks that plot is subject to reassignment.


5. Plant and tend to your assigned plot only.
   Please do not plant, weed, water or harvest from any other member's plot unless specifically invited to do so by the plot owner.


6. Children are welcome in the garden when accompanied and supervised by an adult.
   Please ensure that children stay on paths, respect others' plots and don't waste water.


7. Smoking is not allowed in the garden.
   Turnberry Community Garden is a nicotine-free environment because tobacco can transmit a lethal virus to tomatoes and cigarette butts contain toxins. Cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and similar products should not be brought or consumed in the garden.


8. No pets are allowed in the garden.
   Pets should not be permitted to enter the garden because of potential disease from feces.