4585 Old Farm Cir W, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80917, United States
2024 RULES
Old Farm Community Garden
2024 Garden Rules & Policies
GARDEN RULE INFORMATION
1. Herbicides (weed and plant killers) are absolutely banned in the garden.
2. Running water must always be attended to by a garden member.
3. Petsare not permitted in the garden.
4. The growing of Cannabis (marijuana) or any illegal substance is strictly prohibited.
5. Unauthorized harvesting of other members’ produce is strictly prohibited.
6. The use of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs within the garden is strictly prohibited.
DISREGARD FOR RULES 1 THROUGH 6 WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE REMOVAL FROM THE GARDEN WITH NO REIMBURSEMENT.
7. Gardens must be in the process of being planted by June 1st.
8. Garden beds and plot areas, including pathways, must be kept tidy and free of weeds.
9. The garden areas should only be crossed using the three paths that connect the north and south main walkways.
10. Bicycles and motorized conveyances are not permitted in the garden.
11. Children and visitors must be accompanied by a garden member at all times except for emergency.
12. Garden members must secure and lock the garden gate upon exiting the garden.
13. Garden beds must be cleared down to bare soil by October 31st.
14. “Should an OFCG member have an issue or concern that would impact the rules or by-laws, they shall contact the board directly rather than distribute it to all gardeners.” This recommendation would not prohibit gardeners from communicating with the list of gardeners about an issue or concern that needs to be raised regarding the garden, such as a question, sharing of information, observation of safety concern.
15. All members (1 member per plot) will contribute 3 hours of service to the garden annually (March 1 thru October 31). This can be accomplished by participating at the Garden Cleanup Day, contributing to the Website or the Newsletter, helping with the Annual picnic, or being part of a committee such as Maintenance, Infractions or Care n’ Share. Also, attending our Annual Picnic in September will count as service.
DISREGARD FOR RULES 7 THROUGH 13 WILL RESULT IN A REVIEW BY THE GARDEN BOARD AND MAYRESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE GARDEN WITH NO REIMBURSEMENT.
GARDEN POLICY INFORMATION
Gardening Season - The OFCG growing season is March 1st – October 31st. All gardens must be planted or be in the process of planting by June 1st with at least 50% cultivated by June 15th. Gardeners must show 50% plot activity throughout the season unless special circumstances exist.
Water - Unattended watering is not permitted. Please water wisely and only when needed. It is better to water deeply and less frequently. Always turn the spigot(s) off and disconnect hoses when leaving the garden.
Garden Gate - The garden gate should be closed and locked upon exiting the garden. To help keep rabbits from entering the garden, please pull the gate closed when temporarily entering or leaving the garden.
Weeds – A Weed Infraction is when weeds exceed 6” and/or covers more than 25% of their garden plot in any manner. Every garden member is responsible for removing all weeds, old plant material and unused produce from their garden. One half of the pathways on each side of a gardener’s plot area is their responsibility. If a plot is next to a fence, the entire distance to the fence is that gardener’s responsibility. Gardeners should continuously keep their plot areas clean. Failure to keep weeds controlled in plots or pathways will result in an email with a photo of the noted infraction. Should a gardener receive an infraction, they will be given 10-calendar days to take care of the items noted in the infraction. If the infraction is corrected within the 10 days, the gardener returns to good standing status as a garden member. If there is a second infraction the garden member has 10 days to remedy and the member is on probation. This probation status means that if the gardener has one more infraction of any kind, membership will be immediately terminated with no reimbursement. Should a gardener have any circumstance where weed upkeep is an issue, the gardener must communicate with the Board in advance via email. Should termination of membership be warranted, the garden member will be notified via email. Non-compliance with this provision will result in no refund of any deposit or reimbursement of any kind.
Boundary Enforcement - Gardeners should be considerate of their neighbors and should not let their plants grow or flop over onto another gardener’s plot. Any plants that infringe on another gardener’s plot may be removed. The garden neighbor may remove plants that infringe on their plot. It is a plot owner’s responsibility to remove any perennial that is encroaching on a neighbors plot or an established garden path.
Pathways - Three paths connect the north and south main walkways (gate to gate). These paths are clearly identifiable by the established markers and only these paths should be used when crossing garden areas (Don’t cross between other gardener’s plots.)
Pets - Leashed or Unleashed pets of any kind are not allowed in the garden.
Organic Growing - Organic methods of fertilizing and pest control are encouraged. Chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides may be used on your garden; be surethat they are applied only on non-windy days to mitigate drift into surrounding gardens.
Labeling - All products and chemicals should be labeled in original packaging or labeled with contents.
Compost Piles - Individual compost piles are encouraged. If they have an unpleasant odor that annoys the surrounding neighbors they may be required to be removed.
Mulch - Mulching is encouraged which helps with moisture retention in the soil, water conservation and weed control. Carpet and Tire mulch is prohibited. Only the use of natural/organic/biodegradable products are allowed.
End of Season Cleanup - Only perennials, if any exist, can remain and they should be managed for appearance. At the end of each season, remove all stakes, strings, poles, tomato cages, Wall O’ Water plant protectors and any other items that may easily blow away from your plot.
Extended season gardening is allowed but any structures, garden boxes, compost bins, water barrels, etc. must have Board approval to remain past October 31st. Cold weather crops may remain after October 31st but should be cleared upon harvest. Uncovered hoop tunnels are allowed between October 31stand March 1st.
Trash - Garden waste should only be placed in the 2nd north bin on the east side of the garden. The other bins are for city use only. The gravel and wood chips in the bins are NOT to be used by the gardeners. There are waste cans at both the east and west ends of the garden outside of the fence for other types of trash.
GARDEN POLICY INFORMATION (continued)
Solitary Bee Houses - There is a two house per plot limit with no one house larger than 8”x10”x6”. Hives are not permitted.
Motorized tools - Gas or powered lawnmowers and weed eaters are never allowed in the garden. Gas rototillers and hand-held tools are allowed.
Plastic - Plastic must be removed once it has become ripped and non-functional.
Plots are assigned to individuals for their use and not organizations, either formally or informally. Gardeners may not transfer their plot to another individual. If a gardener is unable to maintain their plot for any reason, the Board should be notified as soon as possible to facilitate its re-issuance. Available plots will be offered first to current gardeners who wish to move to another location before being offered to the next person on the wait list.
Obey the posted speed limit and the one-way sign.
Voluntary Plot Forfeiture – Gardeners must notify the Vice President by April 15th if they have decided to forfeit their plot for the season after they have paid annual plot fees for that year. There will be no refund of annual fees after April 15th. The deposit of record may be refunded if the plot has been made clear by April 15th. In order to receive deposit refunds for plot forfeitures at any other time during the year, a gardener must thoroughly clear all vegetation with the exception of perennials (i.e.; raspberries, asparagus, rhubarb, etc.) A review committee will determine if the plot has been adequately cleared. Current gardeners are invited to sign up to clean out forfeited plots and earn the deposit of record.
Abandoned plots will be reassigned. Any garden beds that have not been worked by June 15thwill be considered abandoned. Any plots that are neglected and unattended will be considered abandoned. Abandoned plots will be reclaimed and reissued after notifying the gardener.
Failure to pay dues and fees will result in plot forfeiture. Any gardener that fails to pay a water assessment fee when due will result in immediate plot forfeiture with no deposit reimbursement.
Update your contact information. It is each gardener’s responsibility to update their contact information with the Board.
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