Tofte Community Garden
Rules and Guidelines 2024
Please read the garden guidelines below carefully, then proceed to the registration page to fill out your information to secure your plot in the Tofte Community Gardens at Birch Grove Community Center.
One of the main goals in community gardening is to work together in relative harmony. Please be
courteous in all interactions and work to resolve any disagreements.
Definition of a “working garden”, maintenance requirements:
A garden plot must be maintained, planted or mulched, and stay within its boundaries. Plots must not be consistently weedy, untended or filled with debris. Several times through the season each plot will be assessed by a team of garden stewards (made up of community garden members)- plots that are not being used or kept up will be given a warning and offer of assistance if needed. If plot holders that are given warnings do not respond, they will lose the privilege of automatically keeping their plot for the next year and can be put on the garden waiting list if they desire to get a plot again in the future.
What is appropriate to grow:
Vegetables, herbs, flowers and annual fruit plants for home consumption and donation are appropriate.
No large structures, trees, or large collection of non-plant items are allowed. Crops must be legal and for personal use or donation.
Be considerate of your neighbors, do not plant sprawling crops or tall ones that might interfere with
other beds. Harvest only from your assigned plot.
Gardening Season
By June 15 your garden should be prepped for planting or planted. This deadline exists to motivate our gardeners to show that they are going to use the garden plot, and not waste it. Some garden plots are reserved with the best of intentions, but end up not being planted. If you haven’t started preparations by this date, there is probably someone on the waiting list who would be willing to take over your plot.
“Prepped” means weeded and/or mulched
Gardeners are responsible for keeping the plot gardened, cover-cropped or mulched. No matter what
crops you decide to plant, you are responsible for basic plot maintenance.
The gardens are open from dawn to dusk seven days/week.
Please keep the garden gate closed at all times when not passing through it to keep rodents and
animals out of the gardens.
Cost of Plots / No refunds
If you give up your garden plot after you have registered or if you fail to maintain your plot and it is
transferred to another gardener, your plot fee will not be refunded.
Plot fee: $25 / plot which includes access to water and compost
There will be a limit of 1 raised bed per person until June 1 at which time additional raised beds may be assigned to interested gardeners at the cost of $25/ raised bed.
Summer Planting and Growing
PLANTING: By July 1, there should be substantial progress towards a productive garden, which includes:
- At least half of the plot(s) worked and planted
- Removal of remaining weeds
- Establishing and caring for plants
Fall Harvest and Clean-up
Crops should be harvested and the plants cleaned up and composted by Nov. 1st. All equipment and
materials such as tools, stakes, trellises, twine, etc is removed.
Compost
Please dispose of plant material in the appropriate compost bin and turn the pile. The compost pile
should only be used for compost, horse/cow/chicken manure and wood chips. No trash please.
Dogs in Gardens
No dogs are allowed inside the garden fenced area with the exception of service animals.
Vegetable Theft
Any gardener reported for taking vegetables, flowers or supplies from another’s plot may have their
garden privileges revoked. Gardeners are encouraged to harvest your crop regularly to reduce the
temptation of theft by others.
Natural Gardening Encouraged:
Use of herbicides, pesticides or synthetic fertilizers are prohibited. Gardeners are encouraged to use
natural gardening techniques. Check the kiosk or contact the Extension Office at 387-3015 for more
information.
Do not spray on windy days.
Keep insects and weeds under control.
Be aware that bales of hay or straw may have been sprayed with Grazon, Roundup or other herbicides.
Please make sure that you are using only organic or non sprayed straw, hay, horse/cow/chicken manure.
Your compliance with the above guidelines will help everyone have an enjoyable and prosperous
garden. Failure to comply with the above guidelines during the season may result in a loss of future
gardening privileges.