(Revised and Effective 3 February, 2026)
These Garden Rules set out the operational, safety, and participation requirements for all members. They are binding on all members as a condition of membership.
A. HEALTH & SAFETY
1. Hours of Operation
The garden area is open from dawn until dusk, seven days a week. Access after dark is not permitted for health and safety reasons.
2. Pathways, Walkways, and Obstructions
Members are responsible for keeping pathways, borders, and edges immediately surrounding their plot clear and safe.
This includes:
- Removing grass and weeds encroaching into pathways
- Preventing sprawling vines or intentional plant growth from obstructing access
- Ensuring pathways remain clear, level, and accessible at all times
Paths and shared areas must be kept clear when members are not physically present. Tools, rocks, bricks, containers, hoses, or other objects must not be left in walkways. Persistent obstruction or encroachment into pathways may be treated as plot neglect.
3. Use of Non-Potable Water (1000L IBC Tank)
The 1000-litre IBC tank contains non-potable stream water.
- This water is not safe for drinking, washing hands, or washing produce.
- It may be used for irrigation purposes only.
- All produce should be carefully washed at home with clean tap water before eating.
The IBC tank must:
- Be kept closed when not in active use
- Not be tampered with, modified, or left uncovered
Members must report to the Management Committee if the water level falls to approximately 25% full or lower, to allow timely refilling and avoid pump or supply issues.
4. Stream and Back Field
Water from the stream is not potable and may carry water borne diseases. Wash thoroughly after contact and wash all produce with potable water.
The stream area is off limits to children. The back field is not garden property and must not be accessed.
5. Families, Children, and Guests
Family members and guests are welcome.
Children:
- Must be supervised at all times
- Must not access the toolbox
- Must not be left unattended
Members are responsible for the safety and behaviour of their guests.
6. Dogs
Dogs must be on a short lead at all times. Dogs are not permitted on beds or planted areas.
All dog waste must be collected and removed from the garden immediately. Dog waste must not be placed in compost or garden bins.
7. Tools, Equipment, and Personal Property
Personal items are left at the member’s own risk. Do not leave valuable items in the garden.
Communal tools may be used provided they are:
- Treated with care
- Cleaned after use
- Returned to the locked toolbox or storage area
Tools must not be removed from the garden without prior committee approval.
8. Gate, Toolbox, and Site Security
The gate must be closed and the toolbox locked when leaving the garden.
9. Water Use and Conservation
Please conserve water wherever possible. Mulching with leaves, grass clippings, or hay is encouraged to reduce evaporation.
10. Environmentally Friendly Gardening
Not permitted:
- Petrochemical fertilizers or additives
- Synthetic sprays, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or slug pellets
- Peat or peat-based products
- Mulching with plastics/or synthetic polymers is not permitted.
Permitted:
- Compost
- Manure
- Horticultural grit or sand
- Top soil
- Coco-core
- Biodegradable horticultural-grade water crystals
- Vermiculite
B. ENGAGEMENT, PARTICIPATION, AND GOVERNANCE
11. Membership Responsibility
The Garden is a fully volunteer-run community project.
All members are expected to:
- Actively maintain their own plot
- Contribute in some form to shared garden upkeep
- Follow these Garden Rules and the Constitution
Membership is not a passive entitlement and may be reviewed where expectations are not met.
12. Shared Work and Participation
All members are expected to contribute in some form to shared garden work beyond their own plot. This may include maintenance tasks, compost management, events, or small projects.
The nature of contribution may vary, but complete non-participation is not compatible with membership and this will be monitored and taken into account at membership renewal
13. Communication and Responsiveness
Members are expected to respond within a reasonable timeframe to communications from the Management Committee relating to safety, maintenance, inspections, or governance matters.
Ongoing failure to respond may be treated as non-participation.
14. Temporary Absence
Members who expect to be unable to tend their plot for an extended period should notify the Management Committee in advance and, where possible, arrange interim care.
Unnotified absence, greater than a month, resulting in plot neglect may lead to review.
15. Maintenance Notices and Remedies
Where a plot, surrounding pathways, or member conduct does not meet required standards, the Management Committee may issue a maintenance notice specifying:
- The issue identified
- A reasonable timeframe for remedy
Failure to address the issue within the stated timeframe may result in plot forfeiture or non-renewal of membership. If the same issues should arise within the same growing year i.e. a repeat offense will result in an automatic non-renewal of membership.
16. Management Committee Authority
The Management Committee is responsible for the interpretation and application of these Garden Rules in accordance with the Constitution.
Decisions shall be made in the interests of safety, fairness, and the effective operation of the Garden.
C. GARDEN USE, PLANTING, AND OPERATIONS
17. Assigned Plots
Members may plant only within their assigned plot (aka bed or allotment).
Your assigned plot:
- Is subject to change from season to season
- Does not confer ownership, lease, or permanent rights
- May be inspected periodically
Any planting outside an assigned plot may be removed.
18. Active Cultivation Requirement
All assigned beds must be actively cultivated throughout the growing season. Beds must contain intentional plantings such as vegetables, herbs, flowers, or other permitted crops.
Naturally occurring weeds, self-seeded plants, or unmanaged growth do not constitute active cultivation. Plots that remain largely unplanted, excessively weedy, or appear abandoned may be deemed inactive and subject to review.
Horticultural green manures and cover crops are permitted overwinter.
19. Respect for Neighbours and Shared Space
Members must:
- Harvest only from their own plot
- Control pests, weeds, and plant spread
- Avoid planting sprawling or tall crops that interfere with neighbouring plots
- Keep children and pets out of other members’ plots
No picking, planting, weeding, or disturbance of another member’s plot is permitted without direct agreement.
20. Planting Restrictions
Prohibited Plantings
The following are not permitted anywhere in the Garden:
- Trees of any kind
- Shrubs, bushes, or woody plants
- Hedging plants
- Invasive or aggressively spreading plants, including mint
Mint is explicitly prohibited due to its aggressive underground spread and long-term management burden.
Permitted Perennials
Herbaceous (non-woody) perennials are permitted at the member’s own risk, as plot assignments are not guaranteed year to year.
Perennials that develop woody stems, woody crowns, or shrub-like growth habits are not permitted.
When in doubt, consult the Management Committee before planting.
21. Structures and Plot Modifications
Structures within plots must:
- Be temporary and easily removable
- Not attach to raised bed frames
- Not extend into pathways or shared areas
- Not exceed 6 feet (1.8 metres) in height
Tall or permanent structures (including sheds, pergolas, arbours, or fixed fencing) are not permitted without prior written approval from the Management Committee.
22. Composting
Only organic non-consumer waste may be added to compost areas.
Not permitted:
- Plastics
- Rubbish of any kind
- Animal (feces or body parts) waste
- Chemical waste
- Industrial or commercially compostable items (eg. coffee cups and lids)
- Food waste
Do not add material to compost bins marked as curing or covered.
23. Rubbish and Cleanliness
Leave no rubbish on site. Members are encouraged to remove litter and report illegal dumping.
24. Events and Gatherings
Parties, non-member gatherings, and events are not permitted without approval.
The garden may host up to two non-member events per year, which must be related to gardening and approved in advance.
25. Vandalism, Theft, and Anti-Social Behaviour
Any vandalism, theft, or anti-social behaviour must be reported to the Management Committee immediately.
Members are encouraged to question unfamiliar activity respectfully.