Community Gardens Guidelines

The Ridge Community Garden Membership Guidelines

These Guidelines will comply with the current Tripartite License that is in effect between the City of Edmonton and The Ridge Community League.

Garden Vision

• Provide an environment to grow pesticide-free vegetables, flowers and fruit.
• Celebrate community by sharing expertise and making friends.
• Offer educational and social experiences for gardeners of all ages.
• Nurture a hobby in an inclusive, welcoming garden space.

As a member of The Ridge Community Garden, I will adhere to the following practices:

Conditions of Membership

1. Members will be at least 18 years of age.
2. Members will reside in The Ridge neighbourhoods of Haddow, Henderson, or Falconer Heights, and have a current membership with The Ridge Community League.
3. Members will read The Ridge Community Garden Membership Contract and Guidelines, then complete and sign the contact.

Membership Responsibilities

1. Gardeners are expected to volunteer within The Ridge Community League &/or with The Ridge Community Gardens at Haddow or Henderson.
2. Plant only in your designated plot, ensuring that your garden plants do NOT encroach on adjoining spaces (e.g. designated pathways or other garden plots).
3. Keep your plot and adjacent common areas clean, frequently deadheaded, and weed free.
4. Do NOT plant plants having invasive root systems which make it very difficult to be cleaned out at the end of season or may spread outside of your designated plot, ie. mint.  
5. Do NOT use chemical pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or fertilizers. 
6. If, for some unforeseen circumstance you are not able to maintain your plot in good condition, please send a message to gardens@theridgeonline.ca.
7. Begin assigned plot preparations by the middle of May (weather permitting). If the plot shows little or no activity by June 1st, you will be contacted and may risk losing the plot. In the case of no activity, and no communication, the plot will be reassigned to another gardener as per the plot assignment rules. It is your responsibility to let us know via email gardens@theridgeonline.ca if not planning to use the plot, so other plot assignments may be made.
8. Plots must be completely cleaned by October 1 of each year. This includes removal of all garden plants, weeds, stakes, strings and any other gardening materials. It is your responsibility to contact us via email if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent you cleaning up the assigned plot.
9. All gardeners are strongly encouraged to attend The Ridge Community League Annual General meeting in November.
10. The Ridge Community League and/or Garden Committee is NOT RESPONSIBLE for any injuries to gardeners while on the garden site.

Member Information Confidentiality/Privacy

1. The Ridge Community Garden Committee will collect personal information such as address, contact and residence information ONLY for the purpose of administering and enhancing garden programs. Personal information will NOT be shared beyond The Ridge Community Garden committee.
2. Gardeners should NOT pass on contact information without the consent of the person to whom the information belongs/refers.
3. The gardeners for the season will be invited to communicate with each other by joining our yearly What’s App communities.

Courtesy, Safety and Security

1. Be courteous to other gardeners and garden visitors, keeping safety and security in mind.
2. When possible, support other gardeners with assistance.
3. Do NOT remove produce from other plots without explicit consent.
4. Do NOT enter another plot area without permission.
5. Keep pets outside of the perimeter of the overall garden. Service dogs are permitted.
6. Do NOT smoke tobacco or other substances inside the overall garden perimeter.
7. Do not consume alcohol or any illegal substances within the garden area. 
8. Keep your plot and garden common areas aesthetically pleasing, free of weeds and garbage. NOTE: Effective 2014, no garden waste is to be thrown in the PUBLIC WASTE BINS in the garden or the adjoining The Ridge District and Nature Parks (per City of Edmonton, Parks Authority). Compost bins must be kept weed and garbage free.
9. Report any damage or vandalism via email (gardens@theridgeonline.ca) in order that it may be investigated and authorities contacted if necessary.
10. Any offense may result in garden privileges being revoked.

Plot Assignments

1. Returning members, in good standing with The Ridge Community League and Community Garden membership, have the option to retain the current assigned plot, or to request a move to a different plot, if one is available. 
2. As a rule, plots will be assigned one per household address. 
3. A waiting list will be maintained for plot requests that exceed the plots available. It will be on an application basis. 
4. Transferring an assigned plot to another person is NOT ALLOWED. The person to whom the plot was assigned to is responsible for the plot. 
5. The Ridge Community League building will not be opened specifically for gardeners.

Water Tank(s) and Shared Equipment

The use of any tools, equipment, or facilities provided by The Ridge Community League must be properly stored and/or locked up after use. Any damage is to be reported to gardens@theridgeonline.ca.

Water Conservation and Usage Guidelines

1. Gardeners are expected to follow frugal water use protocol and water only when necessary. 
2. Water plants ONLY, not paths or unplanted areas.
3. Keep water from spilling onto the ground at the water tank outlet by using watering cans or open pails that are of appropriate size and design to carry the water from the tank to your lot.
4. Report any water tank problems via email: gardens@theridgeonline.ca OR the yearly What’sAPP group.