If you have ideas on how to improve the garden rules or to better the community garden experience please contact the garden leaders.

• The garden should be a safe place for the community, children, and other gardeners. Do not bring anything that will compromise the safety of the garden.
• Ensuring enjoyable gardening experience for all of the garden community is the primary goal of these rules and responsibilities. For this reason, observe the rules of the garden, and be a good neighbor.
• The garden’s executive committee or steering committee has the duty of enforcing rules and making decisions for the garden between annual meetings of all gardeners. They have authority to resolve conflicts, including refusing a plot to a gardener or dismissing a current gardener.
• Please check the bulletin board for a map showing where your plot is, as well as information concerning the garden-problems, classes, information, and notices. Feel free to post information you have and leave messages for other gardeners there.
• Teach your children to respect others’ plots and not to waste water.
• Unresolved issues or disputes between gardeners will be referred to the coordinators.
• Each person must apply each year for a plot but returning gardeners will be given first preference and permitted to keep the same plot if they wish. The number of plots per gardener may be limited according to demand.
• You are responsible for your own plot and participating in workdays and volunteer work (contributing to the upkeep of the whole garden).
• If you are unable to care for your plot for a time because of illness or vacation, ask a fellow gardener or the coordinator for help with weeding and harvesting.
• Generally visit your plot at least once each week.
• If you decide not to use your plot, please contact the registrar so it may be reassigned to someone on the waiting list. If there is no evidence of activity at your plot by June 17, it will be reassigned. There are no refunds on plot fees paid.
• If your plot is overgrown with weeds, you will receive a warning. After one week of no action, your plot may be mowed and reassigned.
• Biodegradable mulch such as compost, leaves, straw, and hay are encouraged. Carpet mulch is not allowed. Remove any non-organic mulch by closing day. No wood chips as mulch. They do not biodegrade quickly. Black plastic is allowed, but must be removed at the end of the season.
• Bright colored plastic construction fencing is not allowed in the garden.
• Please do not plant mint, catnip, Jerusalem artichokes, comfrey or raspberries.
• Keep tall plants such as corn or sunflowers at the center of your plot so they do not shade your neighbors’ plants.
• Keep vines and visitors out of neighboring plots.
• If you have a surplus of vegetables or fruits, please contact a nearby food pantry to donate.  CAC can give you a list of pantries.
• Do not pick from your neighbor’s garden even if you think they have neglected their plot.
• The garden is not available for commercial use; don’t sell your produce.
• Keep plot boundaries weeded and trash-free.
• If you are on a pathway, you are responsible to care for 1/2 of the pathway between you and your neighbor. Keep plot edges and fencing free of weeds that will go to seed. Don’t put rocks and sticks in paths. Take them to the rock-and-stick area.
• If you use the garden’s tools, please return them to the storage area when done.
• Plant refuse piles are set up for weeds and diseased plants. Please use these designated areas. No trash in the piles, please. Please do not add kitchen scraps to the plant refuse piles because they are likely to draw animals.
• Pack your trash back home to dispose of properly.
• Stakes that mark your plot’s corners and have your plot number and name must be left in place all season.
• Never use any herbicides (weed killers), and pesticides are discouraged and prohibited at many community gardens. Keep pest-control products and containers away from children. Dane County Extension at 224-3700 can give safe pest-control advice.
• Do not drive into the garden area.
• What you carry in the garden in the spring, must be carried out in the fall.