COMMUNITY GARDEN BOX PROGRAM Purple Martin Community Farm is a two-acre production farm and community garden located within the 5401 North development in northern Raleigh. It is our goal to connect with our surrounding community by providing access to the farm and educational programming to our residents, neighboring schools, and area organizations. Through our Community Garden Box Program, we hope to provide the community with spaces in which to learn about and connect with their food and environment. Workshops and classes will be hosted occasionally to help teach the community about growing, maintaining, and harvesting produce, and other garden-related topics by experienced and knowledgeable partners and staff. GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS The Community Garden Space Location: The Community Garden is located at Purple Martin Community Farm (7771 Midtown Market Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27616). It is designated as the ten garden boxes surrounding the pergola in front of the greenhouse; indicating signage is present. Farm Manager: The Community Garden is overseen by the Farm Manager, whose contact information will be given to each gardener at the beginning of each season. The Farm Manager is the contact for gardeners with questions regarding the Community Garden operations, general growing and harvesting, and individual gardener responsibilities. Gardeners should also submit any Community Garden concerns and issues to the Farm Manager. The Farm Manager can be contacted onsite if present or through email. The Farm Manager will seek to maintain harmony amongst renters by ensuring gardeners comply with the Garden guidelines. The Farm Manager will also contact Gardeners through their preferred method regarding events, updates, or other issues regarding the Garden. Community: Gardeners understand that this is a community garden, and in order for it to succeed, gardener support is needed to maintain the site, maintain equipment, help keep site picked up from debris, and help implement new projects and amenities. The use of the site is contingent on our ability to keep it well-maintained, and we request all gardeners contribute to this effort.
Rental Agreement Only one box may be rented per family, per season. If boxes are still available after the sign-up deadline, additional boxes may be rented. All boxes are 6 feet by 12 feet, or 72 square feet. Shared boxes are divided between two renters so that each receives a 6-foot square space, or 36 square feet. Rental seasons and pricing are as follows: Season Whole Shared (6 x12 ) (6 x 6 ) Spring (April August, 5 months) $50 $25 Fall (September January, 5 months) $50 $25 Annual (April January, 10 months) $100 $50 Applications: A new application must be submitted at the beginning of each season. Boxes will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants in excess of the number of boxes can choose to be placed on a priority waitlist for the next season. This must be indicated on the application. Assignment: Boxes will be assigned by the Farm Manager, and indicated by staked nameplates. Requests for changes may be granted if space allows. No refunds will be given if a gardener changes his/her mind about receiving a garden box. Each gardener is to maintain his/her own boxes and refrain from modifying, disturbing, or harvesting from any other boxes. Waitlisting: Waitlisted applicants may be able to rent boxes that come available during the growing season. Rental rate would be prorated in such cases. Liability: All applicants must agree to read and sign a liability waiver before receiving a box assignment. By signing that waiver, applicants also acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to cooperate with these Community Garden guidelines and regulations. Parking and Access Access: The Community Garden can be accessed on foot through the personnel gate at the front of the farm. Gardeners who drive themselves to the site should park in designated areas only, so as not to block access to other areas of the farm. Times: Gardeners may access their boxes at any time; however the Farm Manager will hold designated community hours during which he/she will be present for answering questions and providing support. During other times, the Farm Manager should be contacted via email or phone.
Garden Box Maintenance Weeds and Growth: Gardeners must maintain their boxes in an orderly appearance. This includes maintaining vining and spreading plants to the confines of their box and controlling weeds in and around the perimeter of their box. - Due to the risk of drift onto neighboring garden boxes, the use of herbicides is prohibited. Getting an early start with planting can help reduce weed pressure by filling space with desirable plants. We recommend controlling weeds by handpulling, hoeing, and mulching. Boxes that become overgrown or otherwise disturb the appearance of the farm or their garden neighbors will be given warning (yellow) flags indicating that weeding and maintenance is needed. Gardeners will be given one week to improve their box upon receiving a yellow flag before they are given a red flag. If no improvements or maintenance occurs after one week from being assigned a red flag, the box will be considered abandoned, cleaned out, and assigned to a waitlisted applicant. No refunds are given for abandoned boxes. Equipment: Stakes, supports, and trellises are welcome in the garden boxes. Gardeners must remove these items by the last day of the season. Any equipment left in the boxes after the deadline will be made available to the next season s renters. Water: Water is available from the retractable hose located in the garden s center. It is the responsibility of the gardener to ensure their box is well-watered. Please make sure the hose is fully retracted into its housing when finished using it. Tools: Tools will be made available for gardeners to use in maintenance of their boxes. Tools must be used appropriately and cleaned off when finished to avoid damage, and returned to their storage boxes under the pergola to ensure availability for other gardeners. Refuse: Please place garden refuse in the dumpster onsite. The Farm does not currently have the means to compost, so please keep the Garden clean and accessible by removing all refuse and trash before leaving. End of Season: Gardeners will be notified as the season draws to a close. Boxes must be cleaned of all plant material and equipment such as cages, stakes, trellises, etc. to ensure a clean bed for the next user. Nameplates should be left in the boxes for collection by the Farm Manager. Annual gardeners may continue growing into the next season without clearing out their boxes, however, they still must maintain weeds and overgrowth. Issues: Please always inform the Farm Manager of missing or damaged tools, hoses, or other site hazards and concerns as soon as possible.
Environmental Considerations Plant Selection: We want gardeners to be creative and explore new and interesting varieties of plants. However, we ask that gardeners exercise environmental stewardship and avoid planting highly invasive or illegal species in their boxes. Plants that pose a danger to the environment or humans will be removed promptly. We also asked that gardeners avoid planting perennial woody species such as trees and shrubs that are difficult to remove at the end of the season. Fertilizers: Boxes will be top-dressed at the beginning of each season with a basic fertilizer intended for vegetables and flowers. Additional fertilizers should be applied conservatively to avoid runoff of nutrients. Pesticides: Please make every effort to use chemicals sparingly in our community garden. Communicate with your box neighbors and the farm manager if you are considering using any pesticide. If you decide to use a fungicide, insecticide, or other chemical, contact the Farm Manager for approval. Not all chemicals will be approved. Gardeners will also need to denote the product used and time applied on a Purple Martin placard, and display this in their box for 7 days following the application. General Behavior and Consideration Garden Box Use: The boxes, their produce, and the Community Garden are for the personal and family use of those subscribed. Visitors should be accompanied by gardeners to avoid confusion or assumption of intruders. Gardeners may not host businesses or special events in the Garden. If a gardener wishes to use their box to supply a commercial venture, please check with the Farm Manager first. Other Areas: Community Gardeners have access to the Community Garden only. The general public and the community gardeners should not enter the commercial greenhouse unaccompanied at any time. Please do not disturb the garden boxes of your neighbors and community partners in the Learning Garden areas as well. Harrassment: The Community Garden is a space to learn, grow, and connect with the Farm and the community. Harassment is not tolerated anywhere on the Farm grounds. Please report any suspicious behavior or infractions of the Garden regulations to the Farm Manager. Children: We welcome you to bring your children to the Garden and teach them about growing! To ensure their safety, any children in the Garden must be supervised at all times. Pets: Pets must be closely supervised at all times. Pet waste is a food hazard; if you bring your pets to the Garden please make sure you clean up after them, and prevent them from disturbing neighboring boxes. Emergencies: In situations requiring emergency assistance, please call 911 first, and promptly inform the Farm Manager of any serious incidents once help is on the way.