Information & Guidelines for Members
AIMS OF THE GARDEN
To:
- gather together as a community to share and support the development of a thriving edible garden that will promote healthy, affordable eating for us all,
- provide a garden where community members can meet and grow their produce in a tranquil setting for the enjoyment of all,
- co-operate with nature to establish and maintain an ecologically balanced and sustainable method of growing herbs, vegetables and flowers,
- become part of a growing recognition of the benefit of eating locally grown produce.
ADMINISTRATION
MANAGEMENT
Nancy Richards and Jean Pollock are the caretakers of the garden and as such will act to incorporate the ideas of all garden members, as fairly as possible. If disputes occur that cannot be resolved by the gardeners Nancy and Jean will cast a final vote each, to enable a majority decision to be reached.
MEMBERSHIP
Description of rights and responsibilities
The garden member (hereafter known as "gardener") builds or buys their bed or shares the cost with another gardener, and is expected to operate and maintain it. It is also expected that the gardener will assist in the overall maintenance of the garden at regular times throughout the year. This may include general tidying of paths, composts etc. Gardeners will also be expected to work on "Watering Rosters"or contribute to regular garden maintenance, as required. Gardeners are also expected to contribute to seed saving activities.
Gardeners must sign the "Agreement to join the Community Garden" (see Appendix 3, below).
Membership subscription & related costs
1. The cost of building a garden bed (using wood or recycled palletts directly on the ground), is incorporated into an annual $ 30.00 fee. Additional beds cost $ 10.00 annually. These building materials are provided by the community garden. Other forms of bed (that are authorised by the Caretakers), can be built, but the cost of those materials must be borne by the gardener.
2. For purposes of fee payment, the garden runs on a calendar year. New gardeners who join close to the middle of the year may be able to join for a reduced fee of $ 15.00 (for a first bed), and an additional $ 5.00 for each extra bed, at the discretion of the Caretakers. Soil, water and some animal manure will be provided to the garden beds from Oaklands Barn and Garden Centre.
3. Payment of membership fees entitles the gardener to water, animal manure, cardboard, straw, dolomite and blood and bone for building of no-dig (no soil) beds. If a gardener builds a bed that requires soil, the cost of soil will be borne by the gardener.
4. When additional funds are required for tools or maintenance and costs associated with building other structures, members may be asked for donations of their time, and/or money and efforts towards other fund raising activities. These will all be discussed and agreed upon at a garden members meeting.
FINANCE
1. The garden has a bank account requiring signatures from the Caretakers for operation. The account is held at the Pambula Community Bank. All Garden funds, from membership fees, contributions, donations and fund raising activities will be deposited into the bank account as soon as practicable.
2. A petty cash box is maintained with a receipt book for small purchases and payments. An accounting spread sheet is maintained for auditing purposes. Currently the Caretakers administer and maintain the financial records.
3. If the garden ceases to exist, all monies and assets belonging to the gardeners will be donated to a similar Community Garden or a charitable organisation as determined by the garden members.
MEETINGS
Regular Get-Togethers/ Working bees
These will occur throughout the year, at times to be mutually agreed upon by gardeners. While it will probably not be possible for all gardeners to attend every meeting, it will be expected that all gardeners will attend some meetings. Currently, meetings are scheduled for the last Tuesday of every month, on site at the Oaklands cafe at 10.30am. Specific working bee schedules have not been necessary, as all required activities have been able to be undertaken during normal garden hours (Tuesday and Fridays from 9.00am, during summer and from 10.00am during winter).
However, gardeners who are unable to attend during normal working hours are able to contribute to the running maintenance of the garden by assisting with activities listed on the "Garden Maintenance Activities" (see Appendix 1, below). This document can be found in the "Garden Info" letterbox, at the garden.
THE GARDEN
GUIDELINES
1. New initiatives are welcome and can be discussed at meetings.
2. Beds will maintain a consistent size of approximately 4 x 1.5 metres.
3. The caretakers encourage gardeners to contribute any skills they may wish to share, for composting, resource gathering, seed raising and newsletter publication.
RESPONSIBILITES OF GARDENERS FOR BED MAINTENANCE
1. If it is not possible for a gardener to maintain their bed, we ask that they contact Nancy or Jean, so that arrangements can be made for other gardeners to maintain the bed, until the member can resume gardening.
2. If a gardener is unable to continue gardening their plot on a permanent basis, it is agreed that the bed will be assigned to another person who is either waiting to join the Community Garden, or a current gardener who would like another bed.
3. Costs associated with membership are not transferable or refundable.
4. All new gardeners must be approved by the Caretakers.
PLANTS & CULTIVATION PRACTICES
1. Types of plants
Community Garden beds are for growing herbs, flowers and vegetables. Trees and large permanent shrubs are not suitable for garden beds because they may block sun to other beds. However, it may be possible to grow large plants in an area allocated by the Caretakers, in the future.
2. Compost Areas
A 4 “bin” system is used to provide a place to recycle garden refuse that can be reused on garden beds as mulch. Instructions on the bins indicate how these should be maintained.
3. Seed Saving
As much as possible, we would like to encourage saving of seeds from successful plant species, to minimise use of commercially grown seed and seedlings. To this end, all gardeners will be expected to contribute towards this process. This may mean leaving a plant in your bed beyond the time you would normally, in order to wait for seeds to mature.
4. Control of garden pests
Only plant based or environmentally friendly products may be used to control pests, such as garlic or rhubarb sprays. Toxic chemicals, including organophosphates such as “Round-Up” are not permitted in the Community Garden area.
5. Snail Baits
Gardeners are asked to take special care with use of snail baits, as these are scheduled poisons. It is recommended that gardeners do not use baits with methiocarb (blue) or metaldehyde (green) and, if it is necessary to use snail bait, restrict your usage to iron-based (brown) snail baits.
6. Noxious Weeds
Noxious weeds, such as oxalis and kikuyu grass must be removed from the garden for safe disposal. To avoid spreading such pests, gardeners must remove weeds from their beds and never allow them to ‘come to seed’ and contaminate other beds or compost bins.
7. Garden Tools
Eventually a garden shed will be able to keep tools securely locked away. Tools that are purchased with Community Garden funds will be for the use of the Community Garden only. Garden hoses must be contained so that they do not lie across pathways. If any garden tools are missing, gardeners must report this to the Caretakers as soon as possible. New gardeners will be given instructions on how to manage the watering system, but need to be aware that the whole garden takes approximately one hour to water. This information is necessary when you are on a watering roster.
OTHER MATTERS
1. Parking/Garden Hours
Parking is available only in the public car-park at the entrance of the Oaklands complex. The garden is only accessible during the advertised business hours of the Oaklands Complex i.e. 8.00 - 5.00 (Monday to Friday) and from 9.00 till 4.00 on weekends and Public Holidays.
2. Animals
Dogs and other pets are not permitted within the Oaklands complex or Community Garden. Any dogs you may see on site belong to the Oaklands owner.
3. Children in the Community Garden
Children are welcome in the Community Garden, with adult gardener supervision.
GENERAL CONDUCT IN THE GARDEN
Gardeners should respect the garden as a community space.
- Please don’t remove plants or equipment from another member’s plot unless permission is given.
- Some beds are "communal" which means their maintenance and produce are shared by gardeners. Produce from these beds are only shared between gardeners who have actively worked to maintain them. New gardeners can only share produce from these beds when permission is given by the Caretakers.
- Please don’t smoke in the Community Garden as it doesn’t send a healthy message to the community.
- Visitors are welcome to the Community Garden, but are the responsibility of the garden member who has invited them into the garden.
- Gardeners please acknowledge that you and your visitors enter the Community Garden “at your own risk”.
APPENDIX 1. Garden Maintenance Activities
Weekly Garden Maintenance Activities
- Garden Maintenance tasks that everyone assists with, especially those NOT on watering roster
- Please add the date and your initials when tasks completed
Water ALL beds except those indicated
Instructions in this folder.
Weed around bed edges
Weed around compost bins
Weed around igloo
Pony poo in compost
Layer of manure on compost at
end of weeding/water compost
APPENDIX 2. Garden Working-Bee Activities
Working-Bee Activities
- These activities will be scheduled at an agreed time
Mowing
2m clearance
Around all beds
Compost & Igloo
Between Beds
Laying cardboard
Sawdust on cardboard
Storage Facility
Construction for:
Tools, materials, soil conditioners etc.
Bench Top
Construction for sink
Water reticulation
Extend to central point
Igloo shading
APPENDIX 3. Agreement to Join the Community Garden
I (name) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
have read the "Oaklands Community Garden Pambula Information & Guidelines for Members" document. I have had all questions regarding my membership answered to my satisfaction and agree to abide by the guidelines.
Signature: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Caretaker Signature: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of beds: . . . . . . . . . .
Amount paid: . . . . . . . . . . . .
Receipt Number: . . . . . . . . .
