Foxridge Community Garden Rules and Regulations

Renter’s Agreement

Adapted from Denver Urban Garden

2024

Thank you for your interest in the Foxridge Community Garden (FCG)! The following rules have been adapted from Denver Urban Gardens. The FCG Steering Committee has added some rules that are specific to our garden.

Your Garden Coordinators for 2024 are Olivia Mayer at 303-913-7903 and Adrienne Jones at 562-472-7070. You may also email us at Foxridge.gardens@gmail.com.

  1. FCG is an affiliate garden of Denver Urban Gardens (DUG). What this means for renters is that you will need to submit your plot application, liability waiver, and associated fees to DUG.  Part of your plot fees ($25.00) goes to DUG to maintain liability insurance and non-profit status for the garden.  The remaining fees go directly to the garden to pay for water and maintenance.
  2. FCG is open from dawn until dusk via the decorative gate located off the southside of the Foxridge Swim and Racquet Club parking lot.
  3. FCG may elect to lock the garden and tool receptacles. Should the garden be locked, each gardener will be provided guidelines and method (code to lock, key) to access the garden. Access information will be provided to gardener and is not to be shared with those not affiliated to the garden.  If using garden tools, please return all tools to their current storage location.
  4. The FCG season begins March 15th and ends October 15th. Please note that water will not be turned on until mid-April.
  5. FCG is an organic garden. The application of herbicides (weed killers) or pesticides (insect killers) is prohibited. Artificial (chemical) fertilizers are also prohibited. Please contact the Garden Coordinator for organic alternatives. We are happy to help.
  6. Each gardener is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their garden plot. Watering, weeding (the bed itself and surrounding aisles), harvesting, and any other garden-related maintenance are the sole responsibility of the gardener.
  7. Garden plots should be cared for at least once a week. It is the gardener’s responsibility to notify the Garden Coordinator if they are not able to care for their plot during any given week or is unable to find another gardener to cover this responsibility. If any plot remains unattended for more than two weeks, FCG will start the warning/removal procedures outlined in Item 19.
  8. Gardeners will not expand their plot beyond its established borders or into paths or other plots. Gardeners will keep all plants within the limits of their garden plot and will not allow any plants to grow more than six feet high. Gardeners must keep their plot free of weeds, pests, and diseases. Please contact the Garden Coordinator if you need help with organic pest removal or disease mitigation.
  9. Gardeners will water their plot according to water-wise guidelines provided upon acceptance into the garden. A gardener MUST remain on the premises while their garden is being watered. The garden cannot allow excess water to drain onto adjacent areas.
  10. FCG has a 3 Bin Composting System. Please follow the guidelines posted on the bins. Please do not add problem materials such as:  dairy, meat, oils, fats, grease, diseased plants (powdery mildew, aphids), aggressive grasses, and weeds. Plant material should be cut into small pieces and should be only from the garden.
  11. The swim club parking lot is available to gardeners during non-busy swim times, as long as there is plenty of space available. Restrooms are available within pool grounds only when the pool is open; please ask the guards at the entry table for permission.
  12. Children and guests are welcome in the garden. Children must be accompanied by an adult and must be supervised at all times. Dogs are permitted at the garden with owner’s supervision and on leash when others are present. Pet owners are required to pick up after your pet.
  13. Gardeners may only harvest vegetables and flowers from their plot. Federally illegal plants, such as cannabis, are prohibited, even if legal in Colorado. FCG will abide by Federal Laws.
  14. At the end of the growing season, each gardener is responsible for clearing their plot before the close of the season. All dead plants, weeds, trash, tools, sticks, and cages are to be removed or stored by October 31st each year.
  15. The maintenance of common areas and furnishings, fencing, trees, trash receptacles, compost bins, and water lines are the shared responsibility of all gardeners.
  16. Gardeners must volunteer 10 hours of time each season towards maintenance and general upkeep of the garden area. Other volunteer options are available such as watering communal beds/kid’s beds. Signup options will be available at the mandatory orientation meetings.  Failure to contribute volunteer hours will result in the loss of gardening privileges.
  17. Gardeners will work to keep the garden a peaceful, secure, and enjoyable place where all participants can garden and socialize peacefully in a neighborly manner. Each gardener is responsible for conducting themselves in a civil manner that is mutually beneficial to all participants and to the garden as a whole.

Unacceptable conduct generally includes, but is not limited to: vegetable theft, tool theft, profanity, offensive behavior, use of drugs within the garden, bringing weapons, harmful verbal or written communications between or about fellow gardeners, or other incivilities associated with personal interactions as they relate to the community garden.

FCG reserves the right to revoke a renter’s plot at any time due to unacceptable conduct, as determined by FCG Steering Committee discretion.

  1. If a gardener gives up their plot or the plot is revoked, the plot returns to the garden and will be assigned to someone on the waitlist by the Garden Coordinator.
  2. Breaking any rules, terms, and conditions is cause for exclusion from the garden and loss of the garden plot. FCG will follow the following process when garden rules are not being followed:
    1. Gardeners will receive one verbal or written warning from the Garden Coordinator.
    2. If no response or correction has been made, the gardener(s) will receive written notice two weeks later via email.
    3. In another two weeks, if no response or correction has been made, the gardener(s) will receive a final written notification via email that their plot has been forfeited and will return to the garden.
    4. Gardeners will be allowed to reapply for another garden plot the next season at the discretion of the FCG steering committee.