Sunset Drive Garden Site Rules

Site Rules

New Membership

• Your signed application must be submitted and accepted before orientation (mail or online).
• Submit your signed liability waiver and membership fee at the time of orientation. No refunds will be given after June 10, 2019. The membership fee covers use of water, compost and available tools. Renewing members only need to confirm their application with the garden business manager.
• Garden plots are assigned to one person only (the plot holder, who signs the application) and are not transferable. Payment of fees, cleanup and other duties at the site are the responsibility of the plot holder.

Planting and Cleanup Deadlines

• Plots must be at least partially planted by June 10, 2019. Plots not yet started will be considered abandoned and can be reassigned immediately (sorry, no refund).
• Remove dead plants and any temporary structures by the cleanup deadline of October 14, 2019.
• Put plant material in the designated compost bins or haul it away. Do not dump it on nearby ground surrounding the garden area. Be sure to remove all plastic markers and any cardboard or newspaper used!

Plot Maintenance Rules

• Keep weeds under control. Plots will be inspected for weeds once every two weeks starting mid-June. If a plot is found to be excessively weedy (contains weeds that are 12″ high), the plot holder will receive a reminder.
• Biodegradable mulch or ground coverings can be applied. If mulch contains newspaper, cardboard or similar materials, it MUST be removed at the end of the season. Covering the ground with black plastic is allowed if the plastic is secured and removed at the end of the growing season.
• Organic waste from the plot must be removed and put in the designated compost bin or hauled away. Waste cannot be piled or composted within the garden plot or dumped on the grounds surrounding the garden. Rocks cannot be piled on the paths between plots or ground surrounding the plots (this is so the paths can be mowed). Rocks removed from the garden should be put in the designated bin, NOT the compost bin, please.
• Garden plants and structures must stay within the boundaries of the garden plot and cannot extend onto the paths between plots or ground surrounding the garden area (plants may get mowed off if in the paths).
• Structures erected within the plot cannot shade nearby plots. No tall plants (6′ or taller) are to be raised. This includes sweet corn, trees and shrubs.
• The Sunset Drive Garden is an organic garden. Only organic-approved methods for controlling pests and weeds can be used. Contact the garden site coordinator if you have questions about whether a product or method can be used.
• Individual gardens may be fenced (3′ height limit). The fence must be within the border of the garden and not extend to the paths separating the garden plots. This is so the paths can be mowed.

Tools and Water

• Tools and water are available for your use. Tools must be returned to the storage site in clean condition. Please handle the tools with care and use them properly. If a tool breaks, report this to the garden site coordinator.
• Water hook-ups and hoses will be available. Please wind up the hose when finished using. You may bring your own soaker hoses, but those must be kept in the boundary of your plot and not in the paths. We ask that you limit your use of a water hook-up to no more than two hours.

Visitors, Children and Pets

• We encourage you to bring any visitors and children to the garden site. Children must be adequately supervised so they do not enter other garden plots.
• Pets must be tethered or leashed, carefully supervised and any waste from pets removed.

Other Regulations

• The garden plots are open for work between dawn and dusk. No gardeners can work in their plots after dark. The barn will be unlocked from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
• Motorized vehicles cannot be brought into the garden area.
• Alcohol or smoking is not allowed on monastery property.
• Raising poisonous or illegal plants is prohibited.

Rules Violations

• If a plot holder is not following rules or making corrections, it could result in forfeiture of the plot. Being a good steward of the earth is part of the garden mission.When rule violations occur, the plot holder will receive written notice and the problem must be corrected within 10 days of the written notice (email or snail mail).