Community Gardens
Garden rules & problem-solving
Clear expectations keep our neighborhood gardens safe, fair, and productive for every grower.
Garden rules
These six rules apply to every CIVN community garden. They protect the land, the harvest, and the people who share it.
Keep your plot actively cultivated
Plots should be planted and maintained through the growing season. If a plot sits empty or weedy for more than 30 days, it may be reassigned to a neighbor on the waitlist.
Water responsibly and share access
Use hoses and rain barrels on a first-come, first-served basis. Avoid watering during the hottest midday hours, and always shut off shared water tightly after use.
Use organic pest and weed control only
Synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and non-organic fertilizers are not allowed. We grow food for families — keep treatments safe, natural, and neighbor-approved.
Clean up tools, debris, and harvest waste
Return shared tools to the shed, compost plant trimmings in designated bins, and carry out any trash. A tidy garden is a welcoming garden.
Respect boundaries and sunlight
Stay within your assigned plot. Tall plants should not shade a neighbor's crops without agreement. Paths must remain clear for wheelbarrows and mobility aids.
Be kind and inclusive
Gardening is a shared activity. Welcome newcomers, share extra seedlings, and keep disagreements respectful. Harassment or repeated hostility can result in loss of plot privileges.
Common problems & how we solve them
Most garden concerns are resolved quickly with a conversation. Here is the step-by-step process we follow when something needs attention.
Weeds spreading from one plot to another
- 1Talk to your neighbor directly and offer help if they are overwhelmed.
- 2If the issue continues, contact the Garden Captain or CIVN staff.
- 3CIVN will send a friendly reminder and a 14-day care notice if needed.
Plot abandonment or neglect
- 1A Garden Captain documents the condition with photos and dates.
- 2The gardener is contacted by email, text, and phone when possible.
- 3After 30 days with no response or improvement, the plot is reassigned.
Theft or damage to plants, tools, or structures
- 1Report the incident to the Garden Captain as soon as you notice it.
- 2CIVN reviews shared shed logs and, when helpful, posts a community notice.
- 3Repeat incidents may lead to a community meeting and adjusted access rules.
Disputes between gardeners
- 1Try to resolve the concern calmly and directly with the other gardener.
- 2If that feels hard, ask a Garden Captain to mediate a conversation.
- 3Unresolved conflicts are escalated to CIVN staff for a fair decision.
Grow with us
Ready to claim a plot, join a workday, or start a new garden in your neighborhood?