2007 Community Garden Guidelines

2009 Community Garden Guidelines &= nbsp; &nbs= p; updated 2/4/08

These guidelines have been developed to insure that everyone can enjoy the Carmichael Community Garden, and to insure that the garden activities run smoothly. The Carmichael Communit= y Garden exists to pr= omote good gardening techniques, sharing of gardening information, and community camaraderie.

The garden plots are available to the residents of the Carmichael Recreation and Park District, members in good standing with the Sacramento County Extensio= n Service Master Gardeners Program, and to other residents of the County as space permits. All active gardeners (and working family members) must have a Distr= ict Participant Form on file with the District.

The Plots will be limited to one per family and are on a first come basis. Assignments are retained from year= to year. Present gardeners have = first priority (based on seniority) to exchange plots for any vacated plot prior = to new assignment. Individual gardeners cannot transfer gardens. Gardeners in good standing may request an additional plot on a yearly basis if there is no waiting list, and if the Coordinating Advisory Board approves the request.<= /o:p>

Gardeners must agree to comply with the rules and work requirements of the garden. Th= ere is an annual fee ($50) associated with plot assignments to help cover costs= .

Continual use of the plot is contingent upon upkeep.= Gardeners must begin working their plots by April 1. Plants must be removed when they c= ease to bear in the fall unless you are collecting seeds. Weed abatement is REQUIRED. Nut grass must be kept from maturi= ng and developing seed heads. If hea= lth, or any other issue, keeps a gardener from complying he must notify the gard= en manager.

Gardeners are responsible for maintaining all paths adjacent to their plots.

Community workdays are on alternating the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of the month from M= arch through November. There are occasional work evenings and other special projects throughout the year as needed. A minimum of ten hour= s of community work per year by the plot holder(s) of record, at workdays or oth= er projects planned for the general garden, is required. If the ten-hour requirement has no= t been met by the last workday, the participant will be required to pay a $10 per = hour fee for each hour they have not participated in the ten-hour requirement. If this is not paid by December 1s= t, the gardener will not be allowed to garden the following year and their plot wi= ll be made available to another gardener. Payable to Ca= rmichael Recreation and Park District

Unattended watering, standing water on your plot, surface water leaving your plot and overhead sprinkler watering are not allowed. Do not use another gardeners hose = or faucet without their permission. The garden water manager must approve all timers and watering systems prior to set up. If a garden = is over-watered (this includes both standing water in your plot, and water lea= ving your plot), the water will be turned off.&= nbsp; The gardener will be notified the same day and will be required to consult with a garden coordinator in order to resolve the issue. Notify a Coordinator if there are = any water leaks. Hoses should be = neatly put back at the water faucets when you are finished using them. A timer has been installed on the = main water line. Watering times ar= e from dawn to dark.

Tall vegetables, vines, or spreading plants must not encroach on the air and lig= ht space of adjacent lots and must be confined to plot boundaries. Invasive plants must be confined.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> There is to be no planting on the perimeter fence.

Without prior approval, removal of produce from any garden plot (other than your ow= n) will result in disciplinary action, including the possible loss of your plo= t.

Vegetative refuse is to be removed from the garden or disposed of in a designate compo= st area.

The gardens are available from dawn to dark, seven days a week. Garden gates must be locked and se= curely fastened at all times. The ga= te to the parking area must be locked when the last car leaves, no matter what ti= me of day.

The bulletin board is for any gardener to leave messages or garden notes of interest.

Gardeners should notify one of the Recreation Services Manager ASAP if they are no longer able to tend to their garden, if th= ey will be gone for an extended period of time (more than 4 weeks), or if they have a change of address or phone number.&= nbsp; Otherwise, the plot will be reassigned.

Items left in the tool shed are for everyone’s use and must be returned to = the shed when not in use.

= Sale of produce (plants, flowers, vegetables, fruit) grown in the Community Garden is strictly prohibited except for garden fundraisers.

If visitors enter the garden, welcome them, and advise them to tour the garden while staying on the pathways only. Please advise them to shut the gates securely Children must be supervised = so as not to disturb other gardeners and/or plots.

The Community= Garden promotes healthy, organic gardening techniques. Use of chemicals (pesticides, herbicides and fungicides) is restricted. If a gardener has a need to consid= er chemical controls, contact a Coordinator who will attempt to find an alternative. Chemical applica= tions are prohibited without explicit permission of the Park Supervisor.

Vandalism or theft must be reported immediately to one of the Coordinators, the Recreation Services Manager and/or Sheriff.

Smoking is not allowed (Sac. Co. Rod. 9.36.058).= Dogs must be on a leash at all times in the park, (Sac. C= o. Ord. 9.36.061). Pets are not allowed in the garden.

Failure to abide by these guidelines will result in the loss of gardening privileges.

The revocation and appeal process is described below:

REVOCATION AND APPEAL

Failure to comply with these Guidelines will result in the revocation of your plo= t.

The Revocation Process:<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> A garden will be revoked for fai= lure to follow the Guidelines as approved by the Carmichael Recreation and Park District (CRPD).<= /span>

1.= &nb= sp; The Coord= inating Advisory Board will notify a gardener verbally or by e-mail of the non-compliance.

2.= &nb= sp; If the violation persists, the gardener will be issued a written warning from th= e Garden Coordinating Advisory Board.

3.= &nb= sp; If the violation still persists, the garden(s) will be revoked by the CRPD Recre= ation Services Manager.

When a garden is revoked, an appeal may be made to a three-member Appeal Board consisting of three impartial Coordinating Advisory Board Members, one of whom may be of the gardener’s choosing. The Appeal Board’s decisio= n is final.

Contact Information:

Tracy Kerth, Recreation Services M= anager:

Carmichael Recreation and Park District

5750 Grant Avenue, Carmichael, = CA 95608

(916) 485-5322 x23 = fax (916) 485-0805

tracy@carmichaelpark.com =