Community Gardening Protocol


 
Regulations have been established jointly with the William Whyte Residents Association (WWRA) board and WWRA community gardeners to facilitate gardening in a community context and to create a social ambiance conducive to gardening the entire season.  Copies of these regulations are distributed to all gardeners.
Purpose of community gardens:

·         Reduce the number of unattractive vacant city lots

·         Beautify and revitalize the neighborhood

·         Increase property values as the neighborhood becomes a more desirable place to live

·         Allow both children and adults to work with & appreciate nature

·         Educate children on where food comes from and how it grows

·         Impacts on the community at large (pleasing to the eye)

·         Develop friendships, pride and a sense of belonging

·         Provide food security for families

 
Funding for community gardens:

  • Any funds needed to start the garden or to maintain the garden comes from grants obtained through the William Whyte Residents Association or private donations made through the WWRA.

Acquiring a site:

  • It must be a city owned property or a property held by a private owner with written consent to use his/her property for such means.
  • Approval through Housing Network Meetings is acquired before proceeding with any development of the property.
  • A permit should be applied for, for the conditional use as a WWRA community garden.
  • One or both neighbors adjoined to the property must be in approval and willing to look after the garden through sourcing water and be the eyes and ears for the garden.

Set up of Garden:

  • Each community garden should have at least one water barrel. The water barrel is to be chained tightly to a fence; the lid must always be chained in such a manner that the lid cannot be opened without unlocking the chain.
  • There should be a garbage can at each garden site.
  • Garden plots consist of raised beds; most beds are approximately 8 by 10 feet.
  • If there is no fence on the property and one is desired then with consultation of the board and neighbors a fence might be built. The fence is to be built on the garden property and not on the neighbors. By erecting the fence one foot inside the property line, the fence then belongs to the garden.  If the fence being built is on the neighbor's property it the understanding of the William Whyte Residents Association that it will become the property of the neighbor. If a fence is built all precautions must be taken, by calling Manitoba Hydro before digging.
  • Gardeners are allowed a maximum of two plots each.  In certain situations, a gardener may be allowed additional plots for a particular gardening season.  Approval must be given by the Volunteer and Program Coordinator.

Responsibilities of Neighbors/Gardeners:

  • To provide water by filling water barrels on a regular basis.
  • To keep watch of the garden and notify WWRA if any problems arise.
  • To respect others by interacting with them in a polite and cordial manner.
 
How gardeners are determined:

  • Any individual, family, or organization that approaches the William Whyte Residents Association and is a current resident in the William Whyte boundaries is eligible to become a community gardener.
  • Any person or organization who has gardened the previous year has a priority stake in their last years plot, as long as they are still a William Whyte Resident.
  • New gardeners are assessed on a first come first served basis.
  • The William Whyte Residents Association tries to put gardeners in gardens closest to their homes; however this is not always possible.

Responsibilities of gardeners:

  • To purchase or acquire their own vegetables or flowers and plant them in their designated plot(s).
  • To tend their plots regularly to keep weeds from overtaking the bed(s).
  • To provide their own tools needed to garden and maintain their plots.
  • To help keep garden property clean by cleaning up after themselves and using the garbage can to dispose of any refuse they see.
  • To respect neighbors by not being too noisy and acting in a respectful manner in any interactions they may have.
  • To contact the Residents Association if there are any problems or it the water barrel is not full.


Responsibilities of the William Whyte Residents Association:

  • If there are empty, unwanted garden plots it is the responsibility of the WWRA to plant flowers or vegetables in these empty plots or to allow a non William Whyte resident to garden in order to ensure full utilization of the community garden.
  • To check community gardens regularly, that means 2 times each week. Checking the gardens includes ensuring water barrels and trash cans are locked properly, that water barrels are full, to make sure plots are not being neglected, to check for vandalism, to check height of grass, to dispose of garbage in trash can.
  • To maintain the lot around the garden plots by cutting grass and trimming trees as needed.
  • To call a meeting with all new and returning gardeners once in spring to give an update and/or an orientation.  Attendance is voluntary but strongly recommended.
  • To provide an honorarium to neighbors who provide water to the gardens. This is a one time honorarium per summer for water provision.
  • To deal with all compliments or concerns that arise from neighbors, gardeners, the City of Winnipeg or other residents in the community.
  • If there is a donation of plants to the William Whyte Residents Association, it is the prerogative of the Association’s discretion on allocations.

 
Courtesy and Community Gardening Regulations

 
In order to promote good gardening practices, favour bug and disease control and create a courteous social climate in Community Gardens, which Community Gardeners are asked to adhere to the following rules:

Gardening facilities

Gardening hours

Gardens are open from dawn to dusk.

Garden keys & combination locks

Gardeners will receive the combination code or key needed to open the water barrels.

Garden maintenance

Day to day maintenance

Gardeners are to keep their garden plots clean and to practice proper weed and bug control.

Lengthy absences

In the case of a prolonged absence (vacation, sickness, etc.), Gardeners must insure that a replacement be chosen to take care of their garden plot.

Bug control, plant disease, and weed infestation

Only environmentally friendly control methods are allowed. I.e. physical barriers, pruning, organic pesticides (soap-based insecticides, rotenone) or ecologically-friendly products (sulphur, copper).

Maintenance of adjoining and shared garden pathways

The maintenance of shared and common pathways within Community Gardens is the mutual responsibility of Gardeners. Shared pathways must be kept free of any weeds or plant overgrowth.

Planting, sowing, and harvesting

Sowing

Sowing must be completed by June 13th. If this is not adhered to, the garden will be given to the next person on the WWRA’s waiting list, according to WWRA’s waiting list priority.  Exceptions may apply.

 
Harvesting

You can gather from another Gardener’s plot only after having notified the person in charge of the Gardens.

A person who gathers from a garden that is not his or hers without the owner’s permission could have his or her privilege of gardening revoked.

Garden clean up

Gardeners must have cleaned up their gardens by November 1st unless given special permission.

Staking and securing

See and be seen

For security reasons, everyone must be able to see and be seen at all times in the Community Garden. For this reason, the following rule must be observed:

Stakes, trellis and other fastening material must not exceed 5 feet in height.

Maintaining order

Keeping the grounds peaceful

A pleasant atmosphere is essential in order to practice any recreational activity. A person who repeatedly disturbs others by his or her offensive remarks, behavior, or bad manners could be cautioned and as a last resort, be expelled from the Gardens.

Alcoholic beverages

Alcoholic beverages are forbidden in the Community Gardens.

Non-respect of Garden Regulations

First warning notice

A first warning notice is given verbally by the WWRA. It is recommended that a witness, be present when notice is given. If a witness cannot be there when notice is given, it is suggested that date of meeting be taken down.

Second warning notice

When a second notice is given out, it must be made in writing by the WWRA. A ten-day delay is usually given to the Gardener to correct the mentioned problem.

A copy of this notice must be sent to the WWRA Board.

 
Notice of expulsion

If a Gardener, for no valid reason, has not conformed to the previous notices, an expulsion notice, which is the third and last notice, is then sent to him/him. The expelled Gardener has given up their right to their garden plot. He/she will not be allowed to apply for another Community Garden for a period of three years.