Participating in our neighborhood garden has many benefits: improving physical and mental health, providing fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables, socializing and collaborating with neighbors, and teaching children or grandchildren about growing their own food.
How do you become a neighborhood gardener?
- All gardeners must be residents of Howe Farms.
- There will be an initial cost to purchase the materials and construct the garden box. The amount will be based on the current market value of the materials. (Usually between $50.00 and $75.00)
- Soil must be provided by the gardener. Gardeners can come together to have a bulk order of soil delivered to the garden, but they must commit to moving it into their garden boxes on the day it is delivered.
- Each garden box measures 4’ x 8’ x 1’ deep. It will hold about 1.19 cubic yards (32 cubic feet) of soil.
- Once you have submitted payment to the Neighborhood Garden Committee and completed the contact information sheet, your box will be built and placed in the garden at the Rec Area. This garden box will be for your use every year as long as it is kept in accordance with the Rules of the Neighborhood Garden.
- Gardeners will receive the combination to the lock on the gate. Please remember to lock up the garden when you leave.
- Should you choose to no longer garden, or if you move out of Howe Farms, you must contact the Neighborhood Garden Committee. You may sell your box to a neighbor, but that neighbor must complete the contact info sheet and turn it in to the Chair of the committee.
- If a resident chooses not to garden a season, they must either plant a cover crop or cover their garden box with secured weed-preventing fabric. Any garden box that is left unmaintained or empty for 6 months will revert to the Neighborhood Garden Committee. Attempts will be made to contact the gardener before the box is sold to a new gardener.
1. Each gardener is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their garden plot. Watering, weeding, harvesting and any other garden-related maintenance are all the responsibility of the gardener. Gardeners may arrange for other gardeners to water their plots.
2. Gardeners must bring their own tools. You may store them in the storage shed or neatly within the boundaries of your box, but please do not leave anything in the pathways.
3. Garbage, weeds, and all waste must be removed promptly. Remember to bring bags with you for waste disposal. Unbagged garden debris will not be allowed in the Rec Area trash toter.
4. Newspaper is not allowed as a mulching agent or weed barrier.
5. The use of herbicides is prohibited.
6. Gardeners must not practice any horticultural technique that will affect adjacent plots. For instance, do not use fertilizers or pesticides on windy days.
7. Gardeners may harvest from their garden only.
8. Gardeners may not use or grow anything that may shade neighboring plots. Trellises, cages, or other growing structures must be under 6 feet tall, and they must be well-maintained.
9. Gardeners should clean out their plots of all plant materials twice a year, once at the end of the growing season and again in the spring by April 15. You may garden throughout the winter if you choose.
10. Children are welcome in the garden but must be accompanied by an adult and must be supervised at all times.
11. Pets are prohibited in the garden.
2. Gardeners must bring their own tools. You may store them in the storage shed or neatly within the boundaries of your box, but please do not leave anything in the pathways.
3. Garbage, weeds, and all waste must be removed promptly. Remember to bring bags with you for waste disposal. Unbagged garden debris will not be allowed in the Rec Area trash toter.
4. Newspaper is not allowed as a mulching agent or weed barrier.
5. The use of herbicides is prohibited.
6. Gardeners must not practice any horticultural technique that will affect adjacent plots. For instance, do not use fertilizers or pesticides on windy days.
7. Gardeners may harvest from their garden only.
8. Gardeners may not use or grow anything that may shade neighboring plots. Trellises, cages, or other growing structures must be under 6 feet tall, and they must be well-maintained.
9. Gardeners should clean out their plots of all plant materials twice a year, once at the end of the growing season and again in the spring by April 15. You may garden throughout the winter if you choose.
10. Children are welcome in the garden but must be accompanied by an adult and must be supervised at all times.
11. Pets are prohibited in the garden.
There is a Facebook page for the Howe Farms Neighborhood Gardens. This is where you can ask advice, connect with other gardeners, ask for watering help if you are away on vacation, share seeds, plants or extra harvests. It’s just another way to build community. Once your form has been processed you will receive an invitation thru your email, or you can search Facebook for Howe Farms Garden.
If you have any questions, you can reach out to Emily Klotz @ [email protected]
If you have any questions, you can reach out to Emily Klotz @ [email protected]
Howe Farms Neighborhood Garden Contact Form |
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