University Neighborhood Gardens (UNG) How Our Community Garden Works

HOW OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN WORKS

Our community garden is a shared space –a commons. Gardeners not only tend their own plots, but also collaborate with each other to take an active role in all levels of garden development and ongoing maintenance. By contributing their volunteer time toward the needs of the whole, everyone has a stake in collective garden decisions.

There are certain key responsibilities that need to be delegated to individuals for the garden to be effectively managed. These are overseen and supported by the Neighborhood Community Council Garden Manager.
Any materials left in common areas of the garden for an extended time, without written arrangement may be assumed abandoned and will be disposed of at the Neighborhood Councils  discretion. The NC is not liable for lost or stolen items of gardeners or visitors to the garden Please alert either the garden coordinator or the police to any safety issues or illegal activities that you observe at the garden.

We Garden Organically

Our goal is to create and nurture healthy soil and environment. Chemical herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers are not allowed. Certified organic seeds and seedlings are encouraged, but not required. Please read the Organic Standards for more information on organic restrictions and recommendations.

Water Use and Drip Irrigation

The automatic drip irrigation systems is generally on from May-October, weather permitting. Alterations to the drip system must be approved by the garden coordinator. Each gardener is responsible to know how the system works and how to make light repairs on their plot.

Plot Maintenance

You must control the weeds and trash in your own plot and adjacent pathways during the season. All weeds must be removed. You must harvest your ripe produce regularly to reduce garden pests and vandalism. You must maintain your plot in a safe condition, including exposed rebar ends capped, pathways clear of tripping hazards.
Please keep the drip tape in your plot straight, without any kinks, and connected to the main water line.
Perennial plantings or permanent improvements are not allowed without the permission of the garden coordinator.
Plots are inspected the beginning of each month.
Plots that do not meet plot maintenance requirements will be notified. Failure to remedy the situation within 14 days will result in plot forfeiture.

It is your responsibility to notify NC if you are unable to tend your plot, will be absent during plot checks or have asked someone else to temporarily tend your plot. Long-term proxy gardening is not permitted.
The Fall clean-up deadline is November 1st.

Over-wintering vegetables and perennials are permitted to remain.
Plots must be cleared of debris and trellising, and covered completely in mulch and/or cover crop. Trellising that is too large to transport off site may be stored on the plot in a tidy fashion. Drip tape must be laid out straight in the bed and covered, or stored as otherwise instructed by NC.
The dumpster is located at the south end of the parking lot.  As soon as possible, the garden will establish a compost plan. At that time, all other plants go in “brown” or “green” compost piles, and must be chopped to the size of your hand before adding. Compost instructions will be relayed or posted.

Community Behavior and Non-Discrimination

Disrespectful or abusive language, harassment, discrimination, illegal activities, activities that endanger others, or destructive behavior (including vandalism and theft) may result in the immediate loss of all gardening privileges, indefinitely, and forfeiture of crops•Gardeners are required to uphold NC’s nondiscrimination policy; NC shall not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national, or ethnic origin, religious, marital status, age, sex, sexual orientation,
or disability in its garden membership, garden events, and the administration of garden programs.
NC staff is available to mediate conflict between gardeners as needed.