Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1
OVERVIEW
This document outlines the standard procedures, and guidelines for the Marysville
Community Gardens Program whose mission is to grow strong and healthy
neighborhoods. The community garden program promotes sustainable organic
gardening. Gardeners participating in the community garden program are subject to all
guidelines contained herein.
All gardens under the Marysville Community Gardens Program are on city-owned
property, as approved by the Marysville City Council. Gardeners will pay a yearly fee to
rent a garden plot.
In the event that the CGC is unable to fulfill his/her duties, the members of the
Marysville Community Gardens will be responsible for securing a replacement and
obtaining approval from the City of Marysville to appoint that person to the role of
Volunteer Community Gardens Coordinator.
To appeal a decision made by the GAB, a written request for appeal can be submitted
to the Marysville City Services Director. Issues not resolved by the City Services
Director may be submitted to the City Council.
2
Who May Garden
Community garden plots are available to residents within the Marysville City limits. Each
gardener agrees to participate as a member of the garden community. This includes,
but is not limited to, assisting in caring for equipment, contributing time toward general
maintenance of the common areas, and participating in group workdays.
There is no limit on the number of renewals or limit on number of years a gardener can
have a plot in the garden, as long as the gardener is in good standing.
No more than one garden plot will be assigned to any one household.
Sharing a plot is allowed. Gardeners sharing a plot must abide by all Marysville
Community Gardens Program guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Regular specific times and dates when each garden will be open to the public will be
determined by the GAB, and approved by the City. These will be posted in a
conspicuous place at each garden.
Hours of Operation
Hours of operation for community gardens are dawn to dusk. There is no camping in the
garden.
3
REGISTRATION FEES AND PROCESSES
The annual registration fee (or rental fee) is $60 full plot / $30 half plot. A full plot
measures 20’x15’. Half plot measures 10’x15’. There are a total of 27 plots, plus 3
ADA plots available for 2011, on a first come, first served basis. This fee is subject to
change, with notice. Annual registration fees are used to cover the cost of water and
other city costs, and are normally not refundable.
For the first year of operation (2011) the full rental fee will be required.
Cleaning Deposit
In addition to the annual registration fee, a one-time cleaning deposit of $25 per plot is
required. This deposit will be returned when the plot is vacated and left clear of weeds,
debris, and plants.
Refunds
Annual registration fees will be refunded prior to May 1 of each year if the garden plot
has not been used. Annual registration fees are non-refundable after May 1.
Registrations
Garden registrations are renewed annually. Registration materials are handed out at
the January garden meeting and/or mailed to current gardeners at the beginning of
each year, based on the contact information given on their application form. If a plot is
not registered by February 15th the person, or persons, will be removed from the list of
plot assignments. Any plot not completely registered (forms and fees paid) by February
15th may be made available to new gardeners.
Mid-year registrants: Gardeners who register for a garden plot after July 1 will pay
100% of the cleaning deposit fee and 50% of the annual registration fee which covers
the remainder of the current calendar year (except for 2011). Gardeners must then re-
register for the next year at 100% of the plot price.
4
Giving Up Your Plot / Deposit Refunds
When a gardener decides to give up a plot, they should contact the Volunteer
Coordinator immediately so the plot can be quickly reassigned. Gardeners must contact
the Volunteer Coordinator for plot inspection once he or she cleans his or her plot.
Refundable condition is defined as: no weeds, plants, stakes, wire, or trash in the plot.
Healthy crop plants (and their supporting structures) within their normal growing season
may be allowed to remain.
All soil amendments will remain in the garden; no soil may be transferred to another plot
or taken off-site; nor shall raised beds be removed from the garden plot.
If the plot is in refundable condition, the City will issue a refund check in approximately
one month’s time. If a plot does not pass inspection, a gardener will have one week to
clean it up. Upon re-inspection, if the plot is still not in refundable condition, the deposit
will be forfeited. Plots vacated due to eviction and/or abandonment are not eligible for
a deposit refund.
Plot Abandonment
Plot abandonment is defined as 1) the gardener has not visited the garden in three
weeks, 2) plants dying due to lack of water, 3) no response to email, phone or letter in
three weeks, 4) plot has become overgrown in weeds. If more than two of these exist, a
registered letter will be mailed to the last known address of the gardener. If the situation
is then not rectified after 10 days, the plot may be reassigned to another gardener.
If you are unable to care for your plot for an extended period, please consider giving it
up so that someone else can use it. In special circumstances, where illness, injury or
other commitments will only be for a few months and have a known ending date, other
arrangements may be made. Vacationing gardeners are not exempt from weed and
other maintenance rules, or compliance deadlines. Plots vacated due to eviction and/or
abandonment are not eligible for a deposit refund.
Personal Property
The City is not responsible for any personal property used or left in the garden area.
5
Bulletin Board: Gardeners can post general notices on the garden bulletin board or in
the designated posting area. Each garden will maintain the bulletin board for posting
messages regarding the community garden and for no other purpose. The Volunteer
Coordinator reserves the right to remove any communication at any time for any reason.
Mailing meeting notices is not always possible due to time constraints, so please watch
for event postings in the garden or via email list..
Notices of major significance (events, violations, fee deadlines, etc.) will be sent to the
gardener’s last known address and/or email address as shown on their registration form
whenever possible. Because notices may include time-critical items such as
registration or weed compliance deadlines, it is the gardeners responsibility to inform
the City of any address, phone or email changes.
Volunteer Workdays
It is expected that gardeners put in two hours of work per month maintaining the
common spaces, perimeter of the garden, landscape areas along streets fronting the
garden, and portions of the park area that the garden may be located.
The gardeners may choose to collectively raise funds or seek donations of labor or
materials for the operation and improvement of the community garden. This is outside
of the scope of the Marysville Community Gardens Program, and gardeners are not
required to participate as a condition of renting a plot.
Any items such as fencing, storage buildings, tables, etc. donated to the gardeners will
be accepted by them and not on behalf of the City of Marysville.
6
Community Gardens Appearance
Gardens must be actively and obviously used for growing crops, herbs or
flowers, and must be maintained year round (inside the garden and outside the
garden). At no time shall grass or weeds be over 4” tall.
Pathways must be free of weeds, tools, hoses, and maintained in good condition.
All garbage should be taken off site.
Piles of junk and debris are not allowed on-site; project materials must be used
within the current growing season.
Fruit or vegetable vines on fencing are allowed within designated areas. Vines
and perimeter plants must be maintained and not create a hazard or a nuisance.
Vines will not spread on the ground more than 6” from the fence.
Organic insect and disease control is mandatory. Any gardener needing help is advised
to contact the Master Gardeners via the membership list for help and assistance.
Another option is to visit the Yuba County Library and ask for books on this subject.
Trees, shrubs, roses and other plantings may be planted in designated areas. These
plantings will be maintained by one knowledgeable person assigned to each area.
Gardeners will not prune, remove, or fertilize these plantings.
7
In the case of the common area fruit trees, herbs, and flowers, gardeners may harvest
that which they need for the day, leaving plenty for the other gardeners.
Any children in the garden must be supervised by an adult at all times and are not to be
left unattended. Take care that children do not go into other gardener’s plots or are
destructive to the elements of the community garden in any way. Parents will be asked
to take their children from the garden should they create a nuisance or fail to follow the
garden’s rules.
Paths
Paths adjacent to each plot are the joint responsibility of the gardeners on both sides of
the path. Paths should be kept clear, level, and free of obstructions (tools and hoses)
and free of plants. Please note that herbicides are not allowed (see "Chemicals"
section). You may not extend your garden beyond its official defined boundary. Your
garden plants must not extend into or over paths. Paths must be assessable to all and
meet ADA requirements.
Dust
Dust must be contained on site. To reduce dusty conditions, water down the work area
and keep the area under a light mist as needed to keep dust from becoming air borne
and so there are no visible dust emissions off-site.
Noise
Keep personal music players turned down so others cannot hear them, or use ear buds.
Chemicals
All Marysville community gardens are organic gardens. Inorganic chemical fertilizers,
insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides, are prohibited in Marysville Community
Gardens.
Composting
Composting areas are available in the garden. Usable plant matter from the garden
shall be free of seeds, and seed heads, and shall not be diseased or harbor insects;
unusable plant material will be bagged and tied shut. All usable plant matter shall be
cut to 6 inches and placed immediately in the compost bin. All must go inside the bins
otherwise it must be bagged. All fresh vegetables scraps shall be buried in the compost
bin and not left on top of the pile.
8
Any diseased plants or seedy or invasive weeds are to be bagged and taken out of the
garden and disposed of. They are not to be placed in the compost bins.
Mulch
Clean straw (not hay), wood chips are allowed to be used as mulch in order to reduce
weeds, cut down water use and assist in creating a friendlier habitat for garden plants.
Trash
Trash must be picked up and disposed of promptly. Gardeners must bag all trash or
place it in a container. Gardeners are required to remove any trash they create and/or
bring to the garden. Recycle plant containers in a designated area.
Water
Water is provided by the City of Marysville. Plot fees finance water for each garden.
Hoses, timers and drip irrigation may be used but must be paid for and installed by each
gardener. This includes any and all modifications to the faucets or hose bibs. Faucets
must be available to other gardeners as well. The City of Marysville and the Marysville
Community Gardens Program are not responsible for theft or damage to hoses,
sprinklers, timers, or any other items contained within the plot or used by individual
gardeners.
The main shutoff valve shuts off the water to the entire area. Locate the main shut off
valve in the garden for future reference and emergencies. If there is an emergency such
as a broken water line, turn off the water to the garden, then contact the City Public
Works Department during their normal operating hours or CalWater. These numbers
will be posted on the bulletin board.
Tools
Garden tools may be kept on-site in a tool shed or tool locker. Please return them
promptly when you are through using them, in a clean condition and organized manner.
All tools and equipment are used at the gardener's own risk. Personal tools may be
stored in the shed or tool locker, but they are there at the owner’s risk. No gas-powered
9
or engine-driven tools such as weedeaters, rototillers, leaf blowers, etc. may be used
within the gardens.
Trees
Trees (shade, fruit, nut or citrus) may be planted in a common area of the garden and/or
street sidewalk area, with review and approval by the CGC and Master Gardener
volunteers. The CGC and Master Gardener volunteers must approve the
addition/removal or trimming of all community gardens trees.
Prohibited Plants
Prohibited plants are, but not limited to, the following: marijuana, illegal plants, plants
that produce runners (i.e. bamboo, ivy, blackberry), invasive plants (i.e. sugar cane),
poisonous plants (i.e. castor bean), GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds and
plants, and possible dangerous plants (i.e. cactus). Grape vines should not be planted
in a garden plot, but are allowed on exterior fence. Gardeners are responsible for
exercising care when planting plants that are invasive and hard to eradicate. Examples
are mints, berry vines, and morning glories.
Height of Plants
When planting seeds and small seedlings, thought must be given about how high these
plants will grow. Placement of tall plants on the sides of a plot may produce shade not
only on your plot but may also block the sunlight from reaching your neighbor’s plot as
well. Recommended height is four to five feet. Gardens should be planned so that for
most of the day a neighbor’s plot will receive its fair share of sunshine. This may mean
that tall plants like corn, sunflowers, pole beans, etc. should be planted with care, or in
10
an area set aside for community crops. Tall varieties should be well-staked and planted
in the center of a plot.
Materials
Pressure treated lumber (contains arsenic); railroad ties
Carpets or black plastic
Sheets or rolls of clear plastic can be used as a means to solarize a plot for
weeds during six to eight weeks of air temperatures over 85 degrees; but must
be removed before it begins to become brittle or disintegrate.
Tires, plywood and sheet metal (not allowed for raised beds)
Rocks
See “Tools” Section.
Items/Actions
Open pit fires, fireworks, guns and other weapons
Cars and trucks unless approved by the CGC for work day deliveries
Furniture other than normal garden / patio furniture
Music – should not be heard by other gardeners
Smoking (* see below) and gambling
Illegal drugs or substances
Alcoholic beverages (except within a City Permitted event with a valid permit)
Domestic animals, with the exception of service animals; livestock (including but
not limited to ducks, chickens, goats, lambs, llamas, sheep, horses, pigs, or
cows)
Burying animals of any type
*Smoking - If you are a smoker, do not enter the garden until you have washed your hands
thoroughly. Touching a tobacco product and then coming into the garden can transmit a
lethal virus to all tomatoes in the garden. If you do not wash your hands prior to entering the
garden and you have touched a tobacco product, (or you shook hands with a smoker) you
could be responsible for killing everyone’s tomatoes in the garden.
Note: The City may deem an item “prohibited” that is not listed in the guidelines.
11
Drink plenty of fluids while in the garden on hot days. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion
can come on suddenly; all gardeners should be familiar with the signs of heat stroke
and heat exhaustion. It is also recommended that gardeners consider receiving a
tetanus shot as tetanus does live in soil.
Appropriate safety equipment must be worn when working in the garden including but
not limited to, shoes or boots, and gloves. Tools and equipment are used at the
gardener’s own risk. Gardeners should also remember to wear these important health
and safety items when in the garden: sun screen, a wide brim hat, and a long sleeve
shirt
Parking
Please do not block driveways, the street or alleys. Parking should be in front of the
garden along the same side of the street whenever possible. Parking time limits and
meters shall be obeyed; all tickets received and towing costs are the responsibility of
the gardener.
12
POLICY ENFORCEMENT
The GAB is responsible for enforcing the agreed upon policies. Most things can be
resolved in an informal manner; however experience has shown a need for a formal
process to deal with some issues.
The Volunteer Coordinator is the person to notify that a plot or its owner is in violation of
garden policies and he/she may respond according to the situation as follows:
NOTE: Verbal threats or physical acts of violence will result in immediate eviction from
the community gardens, as well as a police report being filed, with possible further legal
actions, such as restraining orders.
Gardeners are encouraged to discuss issues regarding policy violations with the GAB at
any time. Special circumstances will always be taken into account and other
arrangements may be made, at the discretion of the GAB. All final evictions are
reviewed by the Marysville Community Gardens Advisory Board and the Volunteer
Coordinator of the Community Gardens Program.
Gardeners agree to abide by these policies and rules; any violation of the Guidelines
constitutes a breach of the registration agreement. Failure to abide by these polices
and rules may lead to termination of permission to access the Garden, forfeiture of fee,
and reassignment of your plot to another gardener on the waiting list.
13
Community Garden Plot Agreement - 2011
Marysville Community Gardens
Garden Location:_____________________________________
Gardener(s) Names (List all family members or significant others that will be gardening.):
Last name:_________________________ First names: _____________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
2. Failure to follow the Guidelines may result in termination of this agreement and the loss of
any registration fees that have been paid to the City.
3. The registration fee must be submitted with this agreement. Make check or money order
payable to: City of Marysville.
14
5. Phone and email permission: All gardeners are required to provide a phone number and
email address (if available). These will be available to the City and the Community Gardens
Advisory Board. In addition, a gardener’s phone and email list may be shared with all
gardeners. Please check here ____ Yes _____No to share your phone number and email with
all gardeners.
6. Publicity: By signing this agreement you agree to allow the use of any photographs,
interviews, videotapes, film, other visual or auditory recordings, or any other medium, including
the internet, of you or your guests that may be created in connection with you or your guest’s
participation in the community garden. You agree that you do not have to inspect or approve
the finished project and you are not entitled to any compensation for the finished product.
7. The Marysville Community Gardens “Defense, Hold Harmless, and Indemnity Agreement” is
a part of this agreement.
I HAVE READ THE ABOVE APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND
AND AGREE TO ITS TERMS.
If you are a new gardener, would you like an experienced gardener to help you? __ Yes __ No
If you are an experienced gardener, would you like to help a new gardener? __ Yes __ No
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
For Year: ____ Cleaning deposit $25 _____ New _____ or Returning Gardner ______
Assigned Plot(s) Number: ____________ Plot Fee: ________ Amount Paid: ___________
15