Garrison Creek Park Community Association

Garrison Creek Park Community Garden Association
2008 Rules and Regulations and Gardening Guidelines

City of Toronto Community Gardens Program Regulations
1. Members and guests must abide by all City by-laws, including, Toronto Parks By-law.

2. Garden plots and communal beds must be maintained to the satisfaction of the Garden Group Coordinator. This includes normal watering, weeding and general care of the assigned plot. If your space is unutilized by June 1st or if it is unattended for two weeks, it will be reassigned to the next person on the waiting list.

3. If you are away for more than two weeks, you must find someone to look after your plot in your absence and inform the Garden Group Coordinator. If you can’t find someone, inform the Garden Group Coordinator so that other arrangements can be made. Gardeners wishing to cancel mid-season should notify the Garden Group Coordinator so that plots may be reassigned.

4. Chemical insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers are prohibited in the garden. Only Diatomaceous Earth and Insecticidal Soaps may be used in the control of pests. Only compost and composted manures may be used in soil conditioning and fertilization.

5. Illegal plants are strictly prohibited. Trees and other woody plants are not allowed on individual plots but may be allowed on communal plots with permission from Parks and Recreation. Vegetables, grains, berries, fruits, beans, herbs and flowers are allowed on individual and communal plots.

6. Use on-site recycling and trash bins as provided. Community Garden Groups are encouraged to establish and maintain a composting area.

7. Pets must be kept on a leash in the garden. Pet owners are required to clean and remove all pet droppings immediately (stoop and scoop). Do not compost pet droppings as this is a health hazard for humans.

8. Laneways and paths are to be kept clear of obstacles. Tools and personal property must not be left on the site overnight.

9. Installation of any fencing, boards or any other materials to enclose the garden is prohibited without consent from Parks and Recreation.

10. Loud music is prohibited. Please respect the neighbours.

11. Vehicles must not be driven into the park.

12. Water supply is limited. Please use sparingly. Groups are encouraged to reuse rainwater.

13. It is recommended that gardening activity take place during daylight hours.

14. Produce from plants may not be sold.

15. Please report any vandalism to the Garden Group Coordinator: it is recommended that the damage be repaired as quickly as possible.

In the event of non-compliance with the above rules, the Garden Group Coordinator will issue a verbal or written notice to the member. If at the end of a two-week period the problem has not been solved, the plot will be reassigned, and membership revoked. Parks and Recreation Operations staff conduct regular inspection of garden areas; if any contravention of rules is found, the Garden Group Coordinator will be notified and it may result in cancellation of garden privileges.

Garrison Creek Park Community Garden Association Regulations
16. Those members responsible for an individual plot or who wish to have full access to the garden are requested to make a $20 key deposit, refundable upon return of the key and termination of membership. Friends of the garden will be allowed access to the grounds when other members are present at no cost.

17. Up to two individual plots may be acquired by our serious gardening individuals/families. All plots not allotted at the beginning of each season will then be offered to existing plot holders or will become additional community plots. The Garden Group Coordinator will allocate plots accordingly.

18. Plot holders cannot transfer plots to other individuals. The Garden Group Coordinator will allocate cancelled plots appropriately to people on the waiting list.

19. Plot holders are responsible for tilling and preparing their plots prior to use each season and for clearing and cleaning up their plot at the end of the growing season.

20. All waste and recyclables should be placed in appropriate containers. If containers are not available or are full then plot holders agree to remove their own waste/recyclable materials.

21. The grassed area along the CP Rail fence cannot be used for storage of any kind (tools, garbage, etc.).

22. Plots must be worked on throughout the duration of the gardening season, generally understood to be May 1 through October 15, subject to weather conditions.

23. Community garden waste should be composted on site OR disposed of through the residential yard waste collection program as per Solid Waste Management’s rules. Garden waste must not be stockpiled and left in the garden or park, nor should garden waste be disposed in the park’s recycling or litter receptacles.

24. Members are encouraged to make use of and help maintain the communal composting area according to the rules of use in the garden guidelines (below).

25. If you wish to bring pets into the garden, please keep them on leash, under control and out of garden plots at all times.

26. Planting must be in accordance with garden guidelines posted in the garden and noted below.

27. All members are encouraged to participate in the community garden plots by signing up for community tasks as set out by the steering committee and coordinator.

28. Crops must be harvested once they are mature. If you do not feel you can use all of them, there are many food banks and people in need who could use the extra vegetables. Please let the Garden Group Coordinator know if you have more than you can use.

29. Keys are for use of the key holder (and family) only and are not to be shared, loaned or copied. If you know someone who wants a key, please have them contact the committee.

30. Be considerate of your neighbours. Do not plant sprawling crops or tall ones that might interfere with others. Harvest only from your assigned plot or from community plots. Keep insects and weeds under control as much as possible.

31. Key holders are responsible for locking the gate when they are the last to leave and for any non-key-holders whom they let into the garden.

Notes:
• These rules have been ratified by the steering committee for the 2008 season and are subject to change for 2009.

• Please submit any comments or requested changes to members of the steering committee at garrison.creek.park@gmail.com. Your input is welcome and desired and new members can join us simply by showing up at any future meeting which will now always be held in the park, in OUR garden!

• Regulations 1-15 are from the City of Toronto Community Gardens Program Regulations and apply to all city community gardens.

• Visit our website at garrisoncreekpark.wordpress.com for updates and events.

Gardening Guidelines
Please keep the following guidelines in mind while you visit the garden and tend to your plants.

1. Edible plants should only be planted inside the fenced area, in the raised-bed planters. Any edible plants outside of the fence are to be considered ornamental only and should not be eaten.

2. All produce harvested from the garden – including the fenced-in area – should be washed thoroughly before eating. Recommended washing solution: 1 tbsp white vinegar + 1.5 litres water. Dunk the produce in the washing solution and then rinse with water.

3. Please be careful with invasive species. If you plant something in your plot that starts to invade another part of the garden, you may be asked to remove it. Note: an exception will be made for vining plants such as squash or cucumber so long as they are kept out of the main central walkway, are not a safety hazard and are not obstructing access to other members’ plots.

4. Unless you have arranged otherwise, please tend to and harvest from only your own plot. If you see something growing in your neighbour’s plot that you’d like to try, ask before you sample.

5. Chemical insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers are prohibited in the garden, as outlined in the garden rules. If you have any questions, please contact one of the garden coordinators.

6. If you would like to contribute a plant to the community plots, please let one of our coordinators know before you plant it. They will help select a suitable planting location and make sure it gets appropriate care.

7. You are responsible for removing weeds, dead plant material, garbage, etc. from your own plot. Please dispose of it appropriately. Any tools left in the garden area are there at your own risk – although we promote positive use of this space, the Garrison Creek Park Community Garden Association bears no responsibility for lost or stolen tools, plants, planting supplies, etc.

8. Guidelines for the use of the community compost bin:
• Plant materials only. No meat, eggs, dairy, animal waste or non-biodegradable items should be placed in the composter.
• Please do not use the composter to dispose of home/kitchen waste.
• If you pulled a plant or part of a plant from your garden because it was diseased, please do not dispose of it in the compost bin.
• Weeds that have gone to seed should be disposed of in the garbage, not the compost bin.
• No large-diameter sticks or other wood products, as these will not break down quickly.

9. Municipal water is for the Garrison Creek Park Community Garden ONLY.

10. Please report to the Garden Coordinator immediately if you spot any signs of theft, vandalism, misuse of garden resources or damage to the garden or park.