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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcommunity_gardens_policies_2021 Town of Lexington Community Garden Policies Updated February 2021 The Town of Lexington Community Gardens are located on public conservation land and therefore fall under the jurisdiction of the Lexington Conservation Commission. Volunteer garden coordinators at each site are responsible for day-to-day management of the gardens, but it is the responsibility of all gardeners to act as caretakers of the gardens. The following policies were developed by the Conservation Commission and Conservation Division staff. 1. Plot Assignments a)Plots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with preference given to returning gardeners. Plots are assigned by the garden coordinators in this order: (1)Returning gardeners (2)Returning gardeners wishing to change plots (3)New gardeners (4)Returning gardeners wishing for more space Preference will be given to new gardeners who are Lexington residents; non-residents will be awarded plots based on availability after the new gardener registration period has ended. b)Returning gardener and new gardener registration deadlines are set each year, usually for an early April date. (For this year’s deadline dates, contact your garden coordinator or check the registration letter or Conservation website – www.lexingtonma.gov/conservation/pages/community-garden). Registrations and plot fees are due in full by these deadlines. Returning gardener plots that have not been claimed by that date will be opened up to new gardeners. c)Only one plot per household/residential address may be assigned at the beginning of the season. If there are extra plots available once all new gardeners from that season have been accommodated, second plots may be assigned based on availability. Plots are not transferrable. d)If you need special accommodations in order to participate, please contact the Conservation Division at 781-862-0500 x84532 or email landstewards@lexingtonma.gov 2. In the Garden a)Gardens are open dawn until dusk, seven days a week. b)Maintenance: a)All gardeners are expected to maintain their gardens actively throughout the season; this includes watering, timely weeding and harvesting, spring preparation, fall clean-up, and any other plot related maintenance. Regular weeding will minimize the dispersal of unwanted seeds into neighboring plots and harvesting crops before they rot will help control rodents and other garden pests. If you plan to be away for an extended period of time (more than one week), please make arrangements with other gardeners to maintain your plot(s). b)Each gardener is responsible for maintaining the garden pathways immediately surrounding his/her plot. All gardening activities and materials must be kept within the boundaries of each assigned plot; take special care to contain berries, squashes, and other vining plants within the confines of your assigned plot. c)Gardens not started by June 1 or unmaintained (as defined above) during the gardening season may be subject to forfeiture without refund. d)Each gardener is expected to contribute time to the upkeep of the shared garden area. While no specific time requirement has been set, gardeners should expect to contribute 2-4 hours per season. Upkeep tasks may include: weed-wacking garden pathways, gates, and fences; cleaning up trash/litter/debris; removing rocks from the garden; turning compost; removing vegetation from fences; filling water barrels; spring and fall preparation work; end of season work; etc. If in doubt, check with the garden coordinator for task suggestions. c)Gardens are intended for the growing of vegetables, fruits, berries, and flowers for household use or donation (e.g. to food banks); they are not intended for commercial use or profit. Planted trees (including fruit trees) are not permitted in plots. Berry bushes and other tall plants (e.g. sunflowers) and structures should be limited to 6’ high so as not to shade neighboring gardeners’ plots. d)Only organic pesticides, fertilizers, and other soil amendments (such as compost, manure, bone meal, lime, etc.) are permitted. Non-organic/synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and other soil amendments are not permitted; only use un-treated, un-painted wooden stakes (no pressure treated or painted materials). If in doubt as to the acceptability of a particular treatment or amendment, check with the Garden Coordinator, Conservation Division, or the Organic Materials Review Institute (www.omri.org). e)Cover crops are provided by the Conservation Division at the end of the season to stabilize soils and provide a green manure; all gardeners are encouraged to cover their plots. f)No permanent structures (e.g. sheds, raised-bed gardens) are permitted without approval from the Town. All structures should be limited to 6’ high so as not to shade neighboring gardeners’ plots. g)In order to conserve water (and save water costs): i)Talk with your garden coordinator to learn how the water system works at your garden. ii)Unattended watering is not permitted. iii)Notify the garden coordinator of any leaks in the water line or problems with the water system. iv)If your garden uses large barrels to store water, always refill barrels after you withdraw water from them. v)Make sure all faucets are off when you are finished watering. vi)As much as possible, mulch with leaves or hay to reduce water evaporation. h)Parking is permitted only in designated areas and during times that gardens are open. Vehicles should not be driven on garden land (except designated parking areas) without permission of the Conservation Division (via the garden coordinator). i)At Idylwilde, cars may park in a pull-off area entering from Middle Street; cars may also pull in from Lincoln Street where the Idylwilde Conservation Area sign is and park in the grass but may not drive around the garden. i)Dogs are permitted per the Lexington Conservation Land regulations (see www.lexingtonma.gov/conservation/conland.cfm). j)No soil may be removed from garden plots. k)Lexington Community Gardens are CARRY IN/CARRY OUT; please take all trash and other debris with you. l)The Town of Lexington shall not be liable for any injury to persons or property resulting from community gardening activity. m)At Idylwilde Community Garden only: i)To facilitate plowing, non-biodegradable materials located outside of the perennial strip (e.g. row covers, tomato cages, temporary fencing, wheelbarrows, etc.) must be removed by November 15th or the season-end cleanup date. All non-perennial strip fencing material must be removed at the end of the season and stored in your perennial garden section; fencing around your perennial section may remain in place. ii)There may be "no till" plots available for gardeners who would like to garden according to this method. If you select one of these plots, you are responsible for maintaining that plot to the standard of the rest of the garden. iii)All rocks removed from garden plots must be placed outside of the garden perimeter fence in area designated by signage to allow for mowing to occur safely; DO NOT throw rocks in field. iv)The perimeter fence gates should be kept closed at all times to prohibit wildlife from entering the garden area. v)Five communal compost areas located within the garden perimeter fencing are for vegetative matter only; all compost use must be approved by the garden coordinator to ensure that it is ready for use and is shared fairly among all gardeners. vi)ONLY garden within your plot; NO gardening along perimeter fence or in other parts of the garden area. 3. Plot Forfeiture a)Failure to comply with above policies may result in a loss of future gardening privileges. The garden coordinator or Conservation Commission may require that a non-compliant gardener forfeit their plot. Appeals may be made to the Conservation Commission. Your compliance with the above policies will help ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and prosperous garden.