PO Box 287

Oakley CA 94561
(925) 679-5745

oakleycommunitygardens@gmail
.com
www.tinyurl.com/OakleyCG
www.facebook.com/OakleyCG

2015-2016 Gardeners Code of Conduct

Oakley Community Gardens mission is to beautify and enhance Oakley by
providing opportunities for gardeners to sustainably grow a wide variety of
healthy foods.
In order to facilitate an orderly, safe, and successful garden experience, the following
guidelines have been adopted by the members and officers of the Oakley Community
Gardens:
(We are committed to providing the best experience possible. Please contact us with any
questions or suggestions.)
1. Annual Dues (Gardening Year is October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016)
Membership fees are paid annually and are non-refundable. Fee amounts may be
adjusted each year as experience dictates. It should be understood that this fee
does not constitute a lease, but only a revocable license to garden a
designated plot if all other responsibilities of membership are met.
$25 Accessible Raised Bed (3x10)
$45 Full Plot (10x20)
$60 Mega Plot (20x25)
Renewals are due by August 31st, 2016. On September 1st, a $10.00 late
fee becomes due. If your membership renewal (which will include a signed copy of
the 2016-2017 Code of Conduct and Liability Waiver and all applicable fees, in cash
or by check made payable to Slow Food Delta Diablo) has not been received by
September 15th, your garden plot will be reassigned to the next person on the
waiting list.
Each gardener agrees to keep the membership clerk apprised of any changes to
contact information. Your plot may be reassigned if we are unable to contact you.
2. Waiting List
The Garden Coordinator and/or Membership Clerk will maintain a list of persons
interested in a garden plot. Preference will be given to Oakley Residents on this list.
Interested parties should email oakleycommunitygardens@gmail.com or call (925)
679-5745. (Individuals who have had their plot reassigned for failure to comply with
the Code of Conduct will need to wait one year before adding their name to the list.)
3. Plot Assignment
Each gardener will be assigned one plot of their choice, subject to availability. With
the exception of Accessible Raised Beds, plots are merely a designated area of
Oakley sand. Each gardener must supply their own border, and amend the soil with
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2015-2016 Gardeners Code of Conduct, Oakley Community Gardens (Revised September 19, 2015)

PO Box 287
Oakley CA 94561
(925) 679-5745

oakleycommunitygardens@gmail
.com
www.tinyurl.com/OakleyCG
www.facebook.com/OakleyCG

suitable organic material. (If your plot proves too large to handle, let us know. The
Coordinator can divide the area to accommodate an additional gardener.)
4. Garden Maintenance
Each gardener is responsible for actively managing their plot year round. Ideally, a
crop or ground cover/living mulch should always be planted. (If a winter crop is not
to be grown, the plot must be amended with compost and covered with mulch by
November 1st. A spring garden must be planted no later than April 1st.) Each
gardener will keep their plot and adjacent paths free of weeds at all times, yearround.
Each gardener is responsible for removing any garbage and/or recyclables from the
premises and disposing of them properly. We are responsible to clean up after
ourselves. Leave the common areas of the garden, parking lots, restrooms, and
other park facilities better than you found them. (Clean up any mud, sand, or
woodchips that are out of place.)
Any invasive or woody plants can only be grown in the gardens if they are grown in
containers. All plants, containers, trellises, and other items are to be kept within the
confines of your plot, may not exceed 6 feet in height, and may not shade any other
plot. (If these guidelines are not met, the garden coordinator reserves the right to
trim or remove the plant(s) or item(s) involved, or take other disciplinary action as
required.)
5. Membership = Active Participation
Beautiful community gardens require year-round active gardening by each member.
By registering, please understand that you are committing to assist with the
management, meetings, and maintenance of the garden outside of your individual
plot. Join in the upkeep of communal areas, participate in workdays and
service projects. Oakley Community Gardens reserves the right to cancel your
membership and re-assign your plot if you are not actively participating (defined as
a minimum of 2.5 hours per month of the activities listed in this section unless
otherwise arranged with the Garden Coordinator). A thirty-day warning notice will be
mailed to your address on file prior to this type of cancellation.
6. Extended Absences = Reassignment of Plot
Provide the Garden Coordinator, with a written timeline and description of how your
plot will be cared for in an extended leave of absence. Failure to do this will result in
the reassignment of your plot.
7. Be Willing to Let Go
Should there be a change in your ability or desire to garden, dont wait and let the
weeds take over. Please clean up your plot and notify the Garden Coordinator.
Garden plots cannot be passed on to family members, friends, or housemates. The
next person on the waiting list will be offered the plot.
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2015-2016 Gardeners Code of Conduct, Oakley Community Gardens (Revised September 19, 2015)

PO Box 287
Oakley CA 94561
(925) 679-5745

oakleycommunitygardens@gmail
.com
www.tinyurl.com/OakleyCG
www.facebook.com/OakleyCG

8. Water Use
Gardeners agree to garden according to water wise principles. No unattended
watering at any time. All water use, including washing of produce, tools, etc., is to
be done within your plot, not at the hose bibs.
Youll need to purchase a water key at a local hardware store. (There are a couple
different types in use in our garden.) Do not leave the water key on the premises
when you leave. Coil the hose and store it properly. Report any leaking hoses or
fixtures, or other water issues immediately.
9. Treat Tools Properly
Be Safe! Maintain awareness of your surroundings. Please keep the garden gate
locked. All tools should be used cautiously, then cleaned and secured properly after
usage. Do not leave tools unattended, take them with you when you leave, or secure
them in the tool bin. (Tools left in this bin are considered donated and available for
any gardener to use.)
10. Closely Supervise Children
Children are more than welcome in the gardens we strongly encourage their
presence! However, please supervise them closely and understand that you are
responsible for their safety. Demonstrate tool safety and give each child
adequate space when using a shovel, rake, hoe or trowel. Make sure they are
respecting the space around them, are responsibly using all materials (thats
code for arent wasting stuff or killing plants Good advice for us bigger kids too.),
and that they do not enter or disturb others plots.
11. Respect Your Neighbors
Members agree to respect other gardeners efforts and not to trespass onto their
plots. Do not harvest from or water other plots unless you have been asked to do so
by the plot holder. There will be no smoking, alcoholic beverages, or illegal drugs on
the premises. Any music must be enjoyed using earphones, except in the case of a
special event approved by the Community Gardens Board. Profane or abusive
language will not be tolerated. We know you love your pets, but please do not bring
them to the garden. Do not feed any wild or feral animals in or near the garden.
(With the exception of pollinatorsDO feed the bees!)
12. Follow Harvest Guidelines
Please harvest as your produce ripens. Leaving it to rot invites disease and pests.
One of our goals is to share the Earths bounty with those less fortunate. We ask
each plotholder to plant a row for the hungry, or in other words, to deliberately
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2015-2016 Gardeners Code of Conduct, Oakley Community Gardens (Revised September 19, 2015)

PO Box 287
Oakley CA 94561
(925) 679-5745

oakleycommunitygardens@gmail
.com
www.tinyurl.com/OakleyCG
www.facebook.com/OakleyCG

create a surplus to share.

Contact the Garden Coordinator or designated
representative to arrange for the donation. The sale of produce grown on Public
Property for personal gain may be unlawful, and is prohibited unless or
until proven otherwise and this section has been amended.
13. This is an organic garden!
The health of the
amend and/or top
the year (at least
depletion. We all
it.
Be mindful
No artificial
(See list of
have been
prohibited.

soil is paramount to successful gardening. Each gardener will

dress the soil of their plot with compost several times throughout
quarterly) and will rotate crops to avoid pests, disease, and soil
share the compost area, and responsibility for maintaining

of the materials you use, and do not introduce toxins into the garden.
fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, baits, or other chemicals may be used
acceptable and unacceptable products). Treated lumber, items that may
painted with lead paint, blighted or diseased vegetation, etc. are

Please be aware that your choice of crop varieties affects other gardeners. Please
make every effort to refrain from planting GMO varieties. Many gardeners plan to
collect the seeds from their crops and replant in the future, if cross-pollination with
GMO crops has occurred their crop may be contaminated, and they may
inadvertently run afoul of corporate patent issues.
Organic, open-pollinated,
heirloom varieties are preferred.

14. Obey Rules

All gardeners and their guests must comply with all rules and regulations applicable
to the garden and to Oakley City Parks. Plot holder will be held accountable for the
behavior of their guests. A liability waiver must be signed by each individual (or
their legal guardian in the case of minors) who wish to participate in any gardening
activities.
4

2015-2016 Gardeners Code of Conduct, Oakley Community Gardens (Revised September 19, 2015)

PO Box 287
Oakley CA 94561
(925) 679-5745

oakleycommunitygardens@gmail
.com
www.tinyurl.com/OakleyCG
www.facebook.com/OakleyCG

Rules may change as experience dictates. It is your responsibility to check the

Gardens Bulletin Board and website for pertinent changes. The most up to date
version of this code will be available at http://tinyurl.com/oakleygardenscode.

2015-2016 Gardeners Code of Conduct, Oakley Community Gardens (Revised September 19, 2015)

PO Box 287
Oakley CA 94561
(925) 679-5745

oakleycommunitygardens@gmail
.com
www.tinyurl.com/OakleyCG
www.facebook.com/OakleyCG

2015-2016 Garden Plot Agreement and Liability Waiver

I have reviewed, understand, and agree to abide by the policies relative to the use of the Oakley
Community Gardens and understand that use of the community gardens may be denied if policies or rules are not
followed. I will act in a safe manner at all times, will respect the property of others, and will follow the directions
given to me by officers of the Oakley Community Gardens or their representatives.
I understand that gardening is a potentially hazardous activity and hereby agree to expressly assume and
accept all the risks associated with gardening and the use of the community garden including, but not limited to,
those caused by terrain, facilities, soil conditions, temperature, physical exertion, insect/rodent exposure, chemical
exposure and actions of other people.
I understand that my use of the community garden is voluntary and I do so at my own risk. In
consideration of being allowed to use the community garden, I hereby agree on behalf of myself and my executors
etc., to waive, release, and forever discharge Oakley Community Gardens, each of its officers, agents, employees,
representatives, the garden coordinator, the City of Oakley, Slow Food Delta Diablo, and all others from any and all
responsibilities or liability for injuries (including death), damages or loss including claims or causes of action,
including those caused by the negligent acts or omissions of any of those mentioned, resulting from my use of the
community garden or in any activities connected with the community garden. I assume full responsibility for any
guests I bring into the garden.
I understand and expect that I, my guests, and my garden plot, will be photographed or recorded by
officers of the Community Gardens and/or other gardeners. I hereby grant permission for the use of these images
by the Oakley Community Gardens for any lawful purpose. (Website, social media, print publications, etc.) If I
choose to submit any images or video to the Gallery on the website or on social media, I warrant that I have the
right to do so, and grant the same license.
Plotholder(s):
Print

_________________ _________________

Address ___________________________________

Sign

_________________ _________________

City/ZIP ___________________________________

Date

_________________ _________________

Email

___________________________________

Phone

___________________________________

Mobile

___________________________________

Associate
Gardeners
responsibility:

for

whom

accept

1)

___________________________________

2)

___________________________________

3)

___________________________________

4)

___________________________________

YES, I would like my information shared

with other plotholders as part of the
Plotholders Directory.

2015-2016 Gardeners Code of Conduct, Oakley Community Gardens (Revised September 19, 2015)

Garden Plot Selection:

Amount Paid: _______________________________

Accessible Plot $25

Payment Method: Cash / Check # _______________

10 x 20 Full Plot $45

Received By: ________________________________

20 x 25 Mega Plot $60

Date Received: ______________________________

____________

Plot Assignment: _____________________________