Sunset Drive Garden Site Rules

Membership

• Submit your signed application, liability waver and plot fee no later than Friday, May 10, 2024.
  • No refunds will be given after Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
  • The membership fee covers tilling, water use, compost and any available tools.
• Garden plots are assigned to one person only (the plot holder, who signs the application)
  • Not transferable.
  • Payment of fees, cleanup and other duties at the site are the responsibility of the plot holder.

Planting and Clean Up Deadlines

• You may start planting on Friday, May 24, 2024, after 12:01 p.m. and not before.
• Plots must be at least partially planted by Monday, June 10, 2024.
  • Plots not yet started will be considered abandoned and can be reassigned immediately (Sorry, no refund).
  • Planting must stay within the boundaries of the tilled plot (no widening of plots, please).
    (See photos at the end of the site rules)
• Remove dead plants and any temporary structures by the cleanup deadline of Sunday, October 13, 2024.
  • 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. NO shredded paper. (It blows all over!)
  • Covering the ground with black plastic is allowed if the plastic is secured and removed at the end of the growing season.
  • Chemical-free grass clippings may be used as mulch.
• 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!)
• 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 moved.
• Plastic bags of any kind need to be kept from blowing around the garden plots. Please take it with you or put it in the covered garbage bins. If you use plastic bags on poles to keep the deer away, make sure they are secure.

Water

• Water hook-ups and hoses will be available.
  • Please wind up the hose when finished using it.
  • Do not leave the spray attachments on the ground; leave them on the hose or return them to the shed.
  • 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, NOT after dark.
• 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.
• Please do not bring compost or grass clippings, brush, etc., from home to put on the monastery compost pile. We can no longer accept composting items other than from the monastery.

Rules Violations

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.

If a plot holder is not following the 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.