Community Garden Plot Use Guideliness

Community Garden Plot Use Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in joining the Community Garden at ERBM Recreation & Park District! Please read and follow all the garden guidelines.

Our garden is located next to the sheds on the East side of Paintbrush Park.

Garden hours are sun-up to sun-down.

The garden welcomes both experienced and novice gardeners. Plots are available on a seasonal basis; plots measure 4′ x 8′.

We look forward to a successful growing season in 2026!

Application and Fees:

The fee for a plot is $25.00 per plot. Up to 2 plots can be requested per gardener/household.

Plot Assignment and Timeline:

Once registered, gardeners will receive a call from ERBM staff informing them of their plot number and shed combination (see Shed and Tools section).

Whenever possible, plots will be re-issued to the same individuals from year to year.
Previous years gardeners can reserve their plot beginning March 1 (beginning 2027).
Starting April 1st, all unreserved plots will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis (beginning 2027).
Plots must be cleared by October 31st.

Path Maintenance:

Gardeners are responsible for maintaining the paths surrounding their garden.
The paths must be kept free of all vegetation, debris, hoses, tools, and anything that may be a tripping hazard.

Plot Maintenance:

The growing space and surrounding areas must be regularly cared for, watered, and weeded for the entire season.
All plants must be contained within the plot boundary. Please do NOT put anything (screws, tacks, etc.) into the wooden portion of the beds. Stabilizing methods that do NOT damage the wood are encouraged, such as tomato stakes/baskets, bean poles, plant containers, fences, twine, etc.
Garden plots can be approximately 50%-100% fruits and vegetables that are safe for human consumption. The remaining percentage can be sunflowers and marigolds).
Illegal or poisonous plants are not allowed. Cultivation of marijuana or any other controlled substance on District property is strictly prohibited. Violation of this rule will result in immediate removal from the Community Garden. Violation of any state or local laws will be reported to the proper authorities immediately.
Only harvest from your assigned plot.
Make sure the garden gate is closed and latched at all times.
Plots must be cleaned up by the end of the season. This includes the weeding and the removal of all dead plants and temporary supports.
All gardening is at the gardener's own risk and liability. There are no extra provisions for security at the site.

Shed and Tools:

The garden offers various tools, wheelbarrows, and other items, located in the shed.
Gardeners may bring their own tools and/or personal items, but they must not be stored in the shed.
A lock will remain on the shed door; the combination will be shared. Lock the shed after use.
Clean all tools before returning them to the shed. Tip debris out of wheelbarrows before parking them.

Water:

Gardeners need to supply their own timer and soaker hose. If a gardener chooses to water by hand instead of a timer, the hose can be no longer than 25 feet and the gardener must remain on site when the water is running. When watering is finished, disconnect the hose and place it on the hook.

When not in use, hoses should be kept neatly on the hooks and out of the pathways.
Timers should be set for no longer than 12 minutes and no more than twice a day. If water restrictions are in place, ERBM staff will inform gardeners of the restrictions.

Weeds and Trash:

Pets and other animals:

Pets of any kind are prohibited from the garden.
ERBM has tried our best to ensure that “critters” and other garden pests are not in the garden; however, we CANNOT control wild animals. Please know that gardening is at your own risk.

Children:

We encourage families to bring their children to the community garden to learn about gardening. However, children under 8 must always be supervised and not impact other garden plots.