Activities > Community Garden

Program Information, Rules, Etiquette and Registration

Program Information

Plot Registration fee is $25 per year for a 20’ x 20’ plot. This fee will help defray the cost of water and site maintenance. The City will pay the first $50 of the water bill as long as vegetables are provided to the Nelson residents (exceptions may be made for an additional amount at the discretion of the Mayor).

Garden participants, in good standing, will be allowed to renew the plot within the following year’s renewal period. Renewals occur each year in March. Any plots which are not renewed will become available for new registrants on March 15 on a first come, first served basis.

Priority is given to city of Nelson residents. Plot registration begins on the first business day of March each year for City of Nelson residents. Non-Nelson residents can register two weeks after registration begins each year. A waiting list will not be maintained, as the plots will be available on a first come, first served basis each registration period.

Registration includes use of the 20’ x 20’ space for the registered period and water hose(s) available on-site.

Rules

The garden area is open from dawn until dusk, seven days a week.

Children are welcome in the garden; however, they must always be accompanied by an adult and supervised.

Pets are NOT allowed in the community garden.

Plot corners are clearly marked with stakes. Please do not remove these stakes during the season.

If the gardener would like to add additional dirt, soil amendments, mulch, etc. they may do so at their own expense and responsibility.

Unattended watering is not permitted. Do not install an irrigation system. Conserve the use of water. No overhead sprinklers. Make sure all faucets are off when you leave the garden. In an effort to conserve water & to lower the watering cost, all plots may be watered at the same time. This will be at the discretion of the Community Garden Committee.

Water hose(s) on-site must be kept on-site at all times.

Dispose of weeds and plant materials in designated compost areas.

To avoid over-spray onto other plots, do not spray pesticides on windy days. Use of herbicides is prohibited.

Harvest only from your assigned plot. Should it become known that you have taken anything; vegetables, tools, hose, plants or anything else, you will lose the use of your plot.

Do not plant tall or sprawling crops that might interfere with other garden plots. Be mindful of adjacent plots.

Do not enter, disturb or remove anything from another gardener’s plot including weeds- unless the gardener is present and has given permission.

No debris of any kind should be left at the site. Use available trash receptacles.

Park only in the parking lot. Do not drive vehicles on the grass.

No amplified music allowed.

Crops must be harvested once they are mature.

Remove annual plant residue after each growing season.

All plot fees are non-refundable.

If your garden is not maintained and becomes overgrown with weeds, we reserve the right to retain the plot. Overgrown plots become a nuisance and promote the spread of pests into other participant’s plots. Do not rent a plot if you don’t intend to regularly maintain it.

All plots will be inspected periodically. Plots that have not been planted, are weedy, or do not meet the guidelines, will be notified by email with a notice of delinquency. Failure to respond within 14 days may result in forfeiture of the plot.

The plot will not be reassigned. The gardener will lose their priority to renew the plot. The plot will be made available during the next registration period, on a first come, first served basis.

Garden plots may not be sublet. If you no longer intend to maintain your registered plot, please notify the Garden Committee at nelsongarden@yahoo.com as soon as possible. Only the registered gardener will receive communication regarding the garden. Only the registered gardener will have the ability to renew their plot the following year.

Etiquette

Be courteous to other program participants or future program participants visiting the site.

We request that all members volunteer their time for general maintenance (especially adjacent walkways) to keep the garden site looking good.

Gardeners are encouraged to add their garden cuttings and fruits and vegetable waste from this community garden to the designated compost area. Please no household or private yard waste.

If you have an abundance of harvest, there are many local families who could use extra vegetables.

If you would like to add site amenities, such as tables, umbrellas, statues or signage, prior approval from the City is required. Contact the Garden Committee at nelsongarden@yahoo.com. Any items added without approval will be removed.

Reminders

Communication regarding the garden will be handled through email. It is your responsibility to make sure the Garden Committee has your contact information throughout the year.

Registration, program inquiries and maintenance requests should be sent to the Garden Committee at nelsongarden@yahoo.com. Maintenance items include grass maintenance, trash receptacle maintenance, vandalism, water leaks, water not working, insect mounds, damage to plot borders.

Garden Committee

The Community Garden members will establish a three (3) person Committee, the Committee Members will be established by vote in March of each year. Each Community Garden plot holder has one (1) vote.

The Garden Committee will set up and maintain an email account to communicate with the Community Garden members. nelsongarden@yahoo.com

The City Administration reserves the right to revoke a Community Garden participants right to participate in the Community Garden at the request of the three (3) person Community Garden Committee.

Participation rights can be revoked for misconduct, failure to maintain the garden plot, etc.