Garden Guidelines

General Information

1. Register for a plot by completing an application and making payment. Any plot not paid or cared for by May 15th is forfeited.
2. Gardeners commit to volunteer a minimum of one (1) hour/ week (for a total of 25 hours/May through October) to tend the Community Supported Garden (CSG) with the benefit of partaking of shares of the harvest.  See back of this page for more details.
3. Gardeners not keeping a plot over winter must clear out plot by end of the season.
4. A Garden Mentor group exists tobuild stronger relationships between our garden members, enhance communication, provide education and assist members with volunteer and garden plot responsibilities.  For assistance or to participate as a Garden Mentor: RVCGmentors@gmail.com
5. An organic gardening handbook is available to all gardeners. Please request a copy if needed.

Basic Garden Rules:

6. We strive to be a Sustainable Garden. Keep your soil healthy, your plants will be healthy.  Compost is provided, cover crops encouraged.
7. No synthetic pesticides, herbicides, insecticides or fertilizers permitted. Products must be marked as appropriate for organic gardening and/ or OMRI approved.  Please refer to organic handbook
8. Use organic pest controls. For help solving pest problems, ask a garden neighbor or find a resource. Use of chemical pesticides is prohibited.  Please refer to organic handbook or consult a Garden Mentor.
9. Garden plot holders are responsible for their own garden and for adjacent paths. Do not place fences across paths. Keep crops from growing into or hanging over paths.   Layering woodchips early and often is a good technique for path maintenance.  Getting together with your neighbor and covering path and 1-2 feet into each of your plots with cardboard then 6-12″ of woodchips over the pathway is a good option for out of control pathways.  Wood chips are provided.
10. All children are welcome with supervision for their safety.
11. Be aware of stinging insects and deer ticks and take necessary precautions to avoid risk of Lyme Disease.
12. Locate tall crops to avoid casting shade on other plots. Do not plant trees in individual garden plots.
13. Smoking/ Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in and around the garden. Alcoholic beverages permitted only for Garden Socials.
14. Dogs not permitted in the garden.

Garden Access and Parking:

15. Garden is open dawn to dusk (approx 6am – 9pm in the summer months)
16. Park in the designated areas only: Large gravel parking lot or to left of garden near garden shed. Also be mindful of allowing space for cars to enter/exit.

Use and Conservation of Water- a precious resource:

17. Do not waste water. Water may run only while you are present to attend it.
18. Keep paths clear to facilitate watering.
19. The well water is potable but do not drink from the hoses.

Garden Waste:

20. Please follow compost guidelines listed on other side
21. All stakes, plastics, fencing, wire and other garden materials must be removed if not using. It’s your responsibility. Please do not leave in or around the shed.
22. Nothing may be left in the main path or outside the fence or garden edges that may impede mowing.
23. Take all trash or unused garden supplies/materials home with you. Pack it in, pack it out.

Tools and Troubleshooting:

24. You are responsible for your gardening equipment, so please label it, or take it home.
25. Many tools are available. Please clean and return tools to the shed when finished using them. This is to make them available for other gardeners, for safety and for the longevity of the tools.
26. Please report any concerns to Sr. Ana at 267-625-5826 or adura@holyredeemer.com

Community Supported Garden (CSG):  Sharing Gifts, talents and Abundance

27. All Gardeners commit to volunteer a minimum of one (1) hour each week in some aspect of the Community Supported Garden (CSG) from May through October for a total of 25 hours.
28. Gardeners choose volunteer activities at time of application.  Please see the 2023 Volunteer Profile.  Additional volunteer opportunities will be posted as they arise.
29. The Community Supported Garden (CSG) supplies produce to volunteers, Holy Redeemer Food Cupboard, Garden Angels and farm markets.  The crop and quantity of harvest available for gardeners each weekend will be posted on the garden bulletin board and emailed each Friday. Gardeners may only pick Saturday – Sunday unless otherwise noted.
30. Garden Mentors are available to provide support with any concerns regarding volunteer responsibilities RVCGmentors@gmail.com

Garden Events:  The social side of gardening

31. Garden Socials will be scheduled throughout the year as able to support our mission of nurturing sustainable community and to enjoy good food. Your presence and participation is always welcome and appreciated.
32. Garden Workshops and community learning events will be offered to provide opportunities for gardeners to learn with and from one another by sharing skills and interests. If you have an interest or hobby you would like to share with the garden community, please contact Sr. Ana.

Management of invasive weeds:  Get to them early and often for a more enjoyable garden experience.

33. Thistles- cut at ground level. If you let them grow, while not advisable for crops, right as they are flowering is the best time to cut them down to sap them of energy. Digging out is not advisable. Please dispose of them in the compost as long as you haven’t dug up the roots (rhizomes).
34. Yellow Nut Sedge: pull up early and often.  Eventually it will lose energy and strength. Do not dispose of in compost. Leave on paths to dry.
35. All weeds:  maintain at early growth to prevent them from getting out of control.
36. Garden Mentors are available to assist with weed management questions, instruction, etc. RVCGmentors@gmail.com

Compost Guidelines:  Help make quality compost

37. Bin #4 is the main compost heap. Please place all acceptable inputs in this bin. If it is overflowing, you can still dump garden wastes in front of the heap.
38. Far left compost bin: organic waste that is too large or slow to break down – like corn stalks, okra stalks, and sunflower stalks that are too thick to go into Bin #4 should go here.

39. Stems: Cutting up the stems of most plants before tossing in Bin #4 will help speed up decomposition and is greatly appreciated.  These include such mature plant stems like                brassicas (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, etc.), peppers, or eggplants. Splitting long thick stems lengthwise is also ideal. Tools to assist are found in the shed.

40. Weeds: Please try and keep these out of the heap, especially if they are Yellow Nut Sedge or have reached maturity and have produced flowers/seeds. Some of these are Canada Thistle, Amaranth, Horse nettle, Hairy Bittercress, Milkweed, Dandelions, Three Seeded Mercury, Lambsquarters, and Smartweed.  The best way to do this is to remove as much soil as possible from plant stems/roots before composting.  Better to leave the soil in your garden anyway.  If you’re concerned about a plant that has gone to seed, take it out into the field away from the garden.  Weeds can easily be identified by looking up online.
41. Food scraps make for great compost, however, NO meats, bones, shellfish, cheese, oils, large quantities of cooked foods, including breads and pastas (small amounts will mix in fine, but please don’t bring entire leftover dishes that have sat too long or piles of bread or pastas). NO nut shells because they break down too slowly and create a place for unwanted insects to overwinter. Sealed coffee filters and tea bags do best if ripped in half to expose the insides.
42. Leaves / Grass Clippings: Great!  But No grass clippings or leaves from a lawn treated with synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Shredded leaves are ideal rather than whole.
43. Paper/Cardboard: Please avoid any dyed, bleached, coated, or waxed paper products. Otherwise, tear up paper and cardboard.
44. Trash / Recyclables: Please avoid adding any rocks, metals, plastics, etc to the compost piles. Please take any trash / recyclables home with you.