Rules & Guidelines for the Priory Park Community Garden
Critical Expectations
Minimum maintenance requirement
Your plot must not be left overgrown or weed-infested. You are responsible for weeding, watering, and otherwise maintaining your plot. You are also responsible for weeding the narrow pathways between their plot and neighbouring plots. This is to ensure that your plot is not negatively impacting neighbouring plots.
Minimum time commitment: 3 hours / week
An average minimum time commitment of 3 hours per week is expected with at least two visits per week in order to meet the above minimum maintenance requirement. If you plan to be away, please make arrangements for the care of your plot.
Planting Date
No access to the garden or your plot is permitted before the first planting date. This date will be communicated through email to all registrants and those on our email list. Typically (though not guaranteed), the first planting date is the first Saturday in May coinciding with our Garden Cleanup Day event in which all gardeners are strongly encouraged to participate. Plots must be planted by July 1, otherwise they will be considered abandoned.
Contacting the Garden Coordinators
The garden coordinators can be reached at garden [at] prioryparkchurch [dot] com. There is no phone number as the garden is run by volunteers. The email is monitored daily. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
Your Plot
Avoid Shading your Neighbours
Some crops may shade or intrude on other gardeners’ plots. Please be considerate of your neighbours if you want to grow these. Tall supports and trellises must not be erected without first consulting neighbouring gardeners.
Path-to-Fence Spacing
If your plot borders the garden fence, you must not extend your plot all the way to the fence. Please allow at least 12 inches for a foot path between the plots and the fence.
End of Season
All dead plants and non-plant materials (string, wire, wood, metal, plastic, etc.) must be removed and disposed of properly and all plots left neat and tidy by Nov 1.
Discontinuing Plot
If you plan to discontinue use of your plot, please contact the garden coordinators as soon as possible.
Waste
Garden Waste (Excluding Weeds)
Please put waste plant materials in the compost area. No weeds in the compost!
Disposing of Weeds & Diseased Plants
Weeds and diseased plants must have the soil shaken out of their roots and tossed into the brown wheeled bins. If you are unsure what is a weed and need advice, ask a more experienced gardener or contact the garden coordinators.
Shared Resources
Participation in Shared Upkeep
This is a community garden, and thus we expect all gardeners to participate in the upkeep of the shared space and resources. As a general rule, we ask each gardener to aim to contribute at least 10 hours of work per season towards the general upkeep of the garden. This can include participation in our Garden Cleanup Day (typically the 1st Saturday of May), other work days throughout the season, and volunteering for specific tasks. Contact the Garden Coordinators if you are interested in volunteering outside of work days.
Water
The water faucets are for plants only, not for personal washing. Please turn off the faucets after use.
Shared tools
Use of the shared garden tools (located in the shed) comes with the following requirements:
- They must be used with respect so as not to give them excessive wear and tear.
- Any damaged or missing tools must be reported to the garden coordinators.
- After use, they must be cleaned and returned to the shed.
Restrictions
No Synthetic Fertilizers
Please avoid synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and weed repellants. The garden coordinators will be happy to suggest alternatives.
Children
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and not left unattended. The shed is off limits to children under 13 years of age due to the danger of sharp or falling objects.
Pets
Pets are not permitted in the fenced garden but are welcome on the church grounds. Please pick up after them.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use
No alcohol, tobacco (cigarettes), vapes, or any drugs (including cannabis/marijuana) are permitted in the garden or surrounding area.
Photographs
Photographs may be taken in the garden, but any photos of people must not be made public without asking the permission of those involved, or, in the case of children, their parents or caregivers.
Orchard
The orchard (where the fruit trees are) is off-limits to anyone who does not have specific permission to access or tend to it. No one is permitted to touch or harvest any part of the fruit trees or harvest its fruit without permission.
Prohibited crops
The Priory Park Community Garden prohibits the cultivation of cannabis (marijuana).
Safety & Respect
Given the shared nature of this community garden, all gardeners are expected to treat the grounds and shared resources with respect:
- Use shared resources in a way that allows others to use them as well.
- Avoid harming other plots, pathways, and shared spaces.
- Do not walk through plots that are not yours.
- Do not apply anything to or pick anything from another plot without the person’s approval.
- Do not leave tools lying around.
- Make sure that you keep the gates closed at all times, including when you are in the garden.
- Treat the other people who use the space with the utmost kindness and respect.
- For safety reasons, we encourage the practice of gardening with a buddy whenever possible.
- Report any concerns (especially safety concerns) to the garden coordinators.
Termination
The Priory Park Community Garden reserves the right to terminate your plot assignment and reclaim the plot without refund if you fail to comply with these rules and guidelines.