2012 Hale-YMCA Garden Policies and Guidelines

The Paperwork

1. All gardeners are required to complete the application form and pay the garden fee before beginning to garden.

2. Community Gardeners sign an agreement which commits them to organic gardening practices. Exceptions are not made for disability, travel, or convenience. If you are uncertain whether a practice or product is considered organic, please contact Jenny at vtymca.org

The Gardens

3. The Hale-YMCA Community Gardens adheres to organic gardening techniques, which are methods that are people, plant, animal, and environmentally friendly for the health and well being of all. No herbicides, non-organic pesticides, non-organic fertilizer, or any other chemicals or preservatives, may be used at any time in the garden. Failure to follow these regulations will result in forfeiture of your garden plot without refund.

4. Standing water is a hazard to human as well as animal populations. Do not leave buckets or pots on site to collect water except with secure screening on them.

5. Supervise your children in the garden.

6. No pets in the gardens.

7. Use common courtesy, be considerate of your gardening neighbors and ENJOY.

8. Volunteer clean up days will be announced as they are scheduled. Commit to spending 2 hours per month helping with the general gardens – for example - clean up, turning compost, general grounds work.

Your Gardening Spot

9. Garden plot should be tended by June 1 or else it will be reassigned.

10. Pack out your trash. Keep debris, rocks and garden trash out of the paths and perimeter area.

11. Plant any tall vines and plants in places where they will not interfere with your neighbor’s plot.

12. Please use on-site shredded mulch, compost, and leaf mold liberally. Spread mulch about an inch deep in the garden or several inches deep on pathways. Dig leaf mold lightly into the top 6 inches of garden soil.

13. One person’s weed is another’s flower. For this reason keep your plants in your plot.

14. Benches and trellises are allowed within your plot. Be mindful of casting shade on your neighbors.

15. Black plastic is useful for weed control, but unattractive to many gardeners. Covering it lightly with mulch is recommended.

16. Perennial flowers can be an enduring delight, but planting them is a risk assumed. Plots can and will be reassigned if a gardener’s contractual obligations are not met; and, this will be true regardless of what perennials may be present on the plot.

Contact us at 540-961-9622 or email at ymca@vtymca.org