Anderson Garden Rules

Anderson Garden Rules

1. The members of the Gloucester Allotment Garden Association are as defined in the Bylaws. Every member is to ensure that their plot(s) is/are tended in accordance with these Rules whether by themselves, or by any other person on their behalf.
2. a.  Annual plots must not be used before spring tilling and staking are completed. Tilling and staking are weather-dependent and will take place as early in May as conditions allow.  Once stakes are in place, they are not to be moved by anyone without Board authority.b. If a member is not able to garden for one season due to health or family reasons, they may keep their plot provided that they inform the Registrar so the plot may be temporarily assigned to an applicant on the waiting list.  In the case of perennial plots, the new member must preserve the perennial plantings. 
3. Gardening activities must be confined to the member’s own plot(s) and must not interfere with adjacent plots. Laneways, pathways and ditches must be kept open, clear and free of obstacles. At least one foot (30 cm) must be left free of plants and materials around each plot so there is a two-foot (60cm) pathway between plots.  Gardeners must not encroach on and/or place gardening materials and tools on the grass in front and behind their plot(s).  Tall crops like corn must not shade adjacent gardens.
4. a. Pest Control: If pesticides are used in the gardens to control insects or disease, they must be organic or organic-based sold in Ontario for use in vegetable gardens. Note: Importing pesticides is against the law in Canada.  Anyone using an imported pesticide on their garden will lose their plot immediately.b. Mulches:  Carpets or other potentially toxic material MUST NOT be used as mulch.  Wood chips must not be used in annual gardens.  Used tires MUST NOT be used for any reason in the gardens.
5. Water: Water must be used carefully and only on garden plots.  Washing vehicles is not allowed.  The short hose pieces attached to the taps by GAGA must not be removed.  Hoses with attached wands may be used to deliver the water.  Sprinklers and sprayers are not allowed.
6. Due to the need to conserve water, each member is allocated a seasonal quota of water through an electronic water meter system.  Additional water quota may be purchased from GAGA on request.  A fee schedule will be prepared annually depending on the cost of the water.
7. Weeds: Members must control weed growth on their plot(s), keep the plot neat and tidy, and trim any long grass or weeds on the perimeter of their plot(s). Severely diseased plants and pest infestation must be eliminated.  The growth of illegal, regulated or noxious plants and the growth of plant(s) or crop(s) for sale are prohibited
8. Waste:
   a.  Organic material (weeds, discarded vegetables, stalks and vines) and trash, garbage, etc. must not be placed on pathways, laneways or ditches or outside the deer fence. All organic compostable material that is not left on the garden as compost must be taken to the compost pile on the other side of Weir Road.
   b.  Non-compostable trash and garbage must not be left to build up on any plot, but must be removed regularly from the plot by the member. 
9. End of Season Clean-upa. All plant material with coarse stalks (e.g. corn, sunflowers, broccoli, cabbage, castor beans) and vines should be finely cut and spread on the member’s plot or placed on the compost pile. Large roots must be dug out and removed. Spreading chopped plant material(s) on the plot is highly recommended to provide needed organic matter.
   b.  Tools, lawn furniture, wooden stakes, tomato cages, rubble, string, plastics and paper etc., must be removed from all annual plots and areas adjacent to them by the member. 
   c.  Stakes and other re-usable gardening materials which are intended for use the next year may be stored on the grass borders by the fence and must be returned to the plots immediately after staking.  They may also be left in perennial (only) plots, if stored neatly and away from paths and boundaries.
   d.  Annual plots must be left in tillable condition at the end of the season.
   e.  If a member fails to clean up their plot so it can be tilled next spring, they will be deemed to have abandoned their plot.
10. In the event of plot abandonment, the Board reserves the right to cancel plot privileges for that year and subsequent years and re-assign the plot immediately or the next year
11. Dogs: Because of the surrounding deer fence, dogs are not allowed on the Anderson site
12. Nothing is to be thrown over the deer fence. Any member who damages the deer fence shall pay to have it repaired by a contractor approved by the Board. If the member refuses, the Board reserves the right to cancel plot privileges for that year and subsequent years.
13. If a member or anyone connected to them does not properly close a deer fence gate including locking it if they are the last to leave, or interferes in any way with a locked gate, the Board reserves the right to cancel their plot privileges for that year and subsequent years
14. Intimidating, threatening, or abusive behaviour toward any other member of the GAGA will not be tolerated.
15. The Board expects all members to voluntarily comply with these Rules; non-compliance will result in a warning with the expectation that immediate corrective action will be taken. The Board reserves the right to cancel plot privileges and re-assign plot(s) at any time for any member’s failure to abide by these Rules.
16. Raised boxes made of wood and other construction materials may only be used in perennial plots and must not be more than 60 cm (2 feet) high and 90 cm (3 feet) wide.  The raised boxes must be sited so that they do not shade or interfere with the air circulation in neighbouring plots.  To ensure this does not occur in perennial plots 5-14 and 60–69, the boxes must be sited in the centre of the plot.  This rule does not apply to raised beds that are less than 30 cm (1 foot) high.
17. A member must obtain the permission of the Board of GAGA before constructing, placing or erecting a permanent structure on their plot.

Anderson Garden Information and Guidelines

1. The deadline for registration is 31 March. Failure to register before the deadline may result in plot(s) being offered to new gardeners on the waiting list. Those seeking (re-)registration must provide the Registrar with their postal address, email address and telephone number(s), and are asked to inform the Registrar of any changes as soon as they occur.  Members wishing to be notified of water deliveries should also provide their cell phone numbers. On-line registration is preferred.  New administrative rules (to deal with public health restrictions for example) will be made clear to members at registration.
2. A member may keep the same plot(s) each year if the member is in good standing and his/her plot(s) is/are available. No member/family (persons living at the same address) may rent more than two plots. Grandfathering of plots rented prior to approval of this rule (which took place in 2016) expires on the departure of the member who was grandfathered. 
3. The annual cost of renting a plot is based on the Association’s projected costs for maintenance and administration in that year. Members who assist the Association may receive a reduction in fees the following year.
4. The Association will issue a membership card each year, noting the plot(s) rented to the member.  Members may be asked to produce their membership card at any time when they are on the plot site to show that they are an Association Member in good standing. 
5. Annual plots will be tilled as a block each spring, and subsequently measured and staked.  A perennial plot will only be tilled on request, and only in the year that it is re-assigned.  Each plot will be identified by a number affixed to a stake at the left front corner of the plot as indicated by the “dot” on the relevant garden plan map (the plot number on the stake faces toward the plot). 
6. It is expected that assigned plots will be planted by July 1 of each year.
7. GAGA will not be held responsible for personal injury to members of the public, damage to vehicles and gardening equipment, or for loss or damage to plot areas, tools, equipment or materials left in plots.