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Community Garden

Eau Claire Community Garden

The goal of the Eau Claire Community Garden is to provide an area for individuals and families to garden, obtain food locally, build community friendships and share and grow gardening skills.

A single garden plot will be approximately 20x20' multiple (contiguous & non-contiguous) garden plots may also be available. Plots designed for special needs may also be available. If you have specific needs please state them on your application; attempts to make reasonable accommodations will be made. The annual fee for each 20x20' plot is $30.00 to be paid at the time of application. Gardeners from year one will have first opportunity to continue their garden plots for the following year. (Keep in mind that plants need to be rotated in order to grow the best plants possible.) Their plot will be reserved for them as soon as payment for the following year is made.

The Eau Claire Community Garden Association would like to encourage all plot holders to give some of their harvest to the hungry. There will be a donation bin at the garden and all donated produce will be given to the Community Table. Please compost spoiled or over ripe produce in the compost pile.

Eau Claire Community Garden Guidelines

Please note that we are still growing (no pun intended) and it is a learning process. If you have any suggestions or comments please kindly share them! We are looking forward to many years of happy gardening and to growing gardening in our community.

Planting Guidelines and Responsibilities

• I plan to attend the work weekend in May or will speak to the Garden Coordinator regarding work opportunities. (Is this covered at the 2nd to last bullet point?)
• I will plant my garden promptly.
• I will harvest all my plant material at the end of season as directed by gardening coordinator.
• I will prepare my plot for ground cover as directed by the Garden Coordinator.
• I will compost all plant material and carry out all garbage. I will not put trash in the compost pile.
• I will maintain my garden plot, including weeding. I will be notified if my plot is excessively weedy and will be given a reasonable period to clean it up. If I do not comply, my plot may be forfeited.
• I will only use organic, short-term biodegradable mulches (ex. straws, grasses, leaves, bark, etc). Sheet metal, styrofoam, plastics and other similar materials will not be permitted.
• I will not plant trees, shrubs, etc. in the community garden.
• I will not use synthetic (non-organic) chemicals. For the health of our community, it is the goal of the community garden to have a natural garden, only natural defenses against insects and disease may be used.
  I will plant only annual plants (or remove and over-winter perennial plants elsewhere).
• I will not extend my garden past the plot markers; or will be asked to remove plants that extend past the markers. If not done in a two week period, plants may be removed without warning.
• I will keep aisles and walkways free of tools and weeds. I will not plant invasive species such as mint, comfrey etc. as this may spread to other areas of the garden.
• If I must abandon my garden, I will notify the Garden Coordinator as soon as possible.
• I will not bring pets to the garden.
• I will volunteer one day at the beginning of the season and end of the season to clean up the gardens.

I understand that neither the Eau Claire Community Garden Association nor the City of Eau Claire are responsible for my actions. I THEREFORE AGREE TO HOLD HARMLESS THE EAU CLAIRE COMMUNITY GARDEN ASSOCIATION AND CITY OF EAU CLAIRE (OWNERS OF THE LAND) FOR ANY LIABILITY, DAMAGE, LOSS OR CLAIM THAT OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH USE OF THE GARDEN BY ME OR ANY OF MY GUESTS AS SIGNED ON THE EAU CLAIRE COMMUNITY GARDEN APPLICATION & HOME HARMLESS AGREEMENT FORM.

Plots will be assigned on a first come first served basis. Gardeners should tell organizers what they plan to grow. Plots need to be rotated based on what has been grown in each plot to minimize chances for disease and maximize probability for yield. We will make every attempt to accommodate everyone's requests and try to fill plots in a fair manner.

• Introduce yourself and build a stronger community!!
• If planting tall crops, do so where they won't shade other garden plots.
• Weed and maintain your garden regularly as weed seeds quickly spread and make more work for other gardeners.
• Remove pests and diseased plants often as they also quickly spread.
• Never borrow tools from another gardener without permission.
• Do not pick any planting from another plot even if you think that plot has been abandoned or neglected.
• Please walk with care, and do not trample surrounding plants in another plot.
• Do not remove plot markers, if you are unsure of your boundaries please contact the Garden Coordinator.
• Children are welcome at the Community Garden; however please watch them and monitor their activities so that they do not disturb fellow gardeners or their plots.
• Use personal music players instead of radios in the garden and please no loud cell phone use.
• Do not bring pets to the gardening area.
• Place all rocks removed from your garden in the designated area.
• If you have a concern or issue with a gardening neighbor please address it with him/her in a neighborly manner. If the issue cannot be resolved, please contact the Garden Coordinator to aid in the matter.