Ithaca Community Gardens is an organization run by volunteers on public land. There is full diversity and it creates an open atmosphere for all members for indoor growing supplies. Therefore, it is important to avoid conversations that can cause conflict among members. Below are some of the rules and policies to follow.
Work Contribution
All members should come and work for four hours or more every season or pay 15 dollars for every hour not worked. They should also attend one board meeting, educational event, and social gathering.
Plot and Path Maintenance
Before May 1st, the soil in your plot should be turned over. Every year, you will be provided with wood-bark mulch and manure-compost mix by the gardens. Remove weeds or debris from your plot and along the paths to avoid it from encroaching on your neighbor’s plot.
Failure to take care of your garden may lead to your losing the plot. The soil level next to the path should not be lowered or raised. Doing so will give mowers a difficult time.
Annual Membership and Fees
Renewal of membership should be done before March every year. Each plot is around 280 square feet. That is 16″ by 17″ to 15″ by 15″. If you have maintained a good record, you can apply for a second plot. However, this will depend on the number of new members available since the plots are limited in number.
The annual Membership fee is 15 dollars. The half plot fee is 20 dollars while the full plot goes for 35 dollars. It is possible to get a half plot or second plot if they are vacant.
For one to qualify for this, their first plot should be well maintained. Additionally, their membership contributions should be kept up to date. New gardeners are prioritized to include more households to the Ithaca Community.
Planting and watering
These plots can be used for vegetable and flower gardening. Strawberries, asparagus, and raspberries are allowed. However, tall shrubs and trees cannot be planted. Water conservation must be practiced to minimize the yearly high water bills. To achieve this you should:
Use wood chips, leaves, and hay to mulch
Avoid watering when rain is predicted
Only the roots should be watered in the morning and evening to avoid evaporation
Use organic materials to increase the holding capacity of water
Fertilizers, Pesticides, and Compost
Use only organic fertilizers and pesticides. Plastic mulch should be avoided since it will leave plastic fragments in the soil. Three wheelbarrows of the manure-compost mix provided should be used per plot. Rocks are taken to the rock piles while large pieces of bark are collected separately. Since there is no trash-collecting service, manage your trash.
Fences, Trellises, and Tools
All garden supplies and care tools owned by the gardens are labeled “ICG”, or “Community Gardens”. After using them, return them to the shed and lock with a combination code. In case you need to fence your plot, it should not be more than 36″ high.
Your path should be mulched, mowed, or trimmed to keep it neat. A trellis can be placed one foot inside the plot. This is to avoid casting shade on other people’s plots. In case you are not renewing your membership, remove tomato cages, trellises, and the fence.
Conclusion
All family members or friends are welcome to visit the Ithaca Community Gardens. Dogs should be held on a leash. You are free to ask questions at the site. You can also post any announcements on our bulletin boards. For more information, you can subscribe to the newsletters which will be sent through your email.
