​​​​​​​​​The following guidelines help create safe and productive gardening environments for gardeners and community members. By participating in the community gardens, the gardener agrees to abide by all of the guidelines outlined as well as any additional guidelines posted at the garden sites.​

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​Gardening Guidelines | Structure Guidelines | Utilities and Tools Guidelines |
​​General Guidelines​

Garden Guidelines

• ​​What to plant
  

  You may plant vegetables, herbs, flowers, and small fruit plants that do not shade out neighboring garden plots. If you do not use your entire garden yield, consider donating extra produce to a local food pantry or shelter.

• Where to garden
  

  Keep all work within the plot markers in the corners of each garden. Do not remove the plot markers when gardening or tilling. Do not garden past plot markers or into garden pathways.

• When to garden
  

  Garden during park operating hours of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. To properly maintain your garden, you are expected to perform a minimum of three to five hours of work each week.

• Harvesting
  

  Harvest mature crops to minimize excess waste, garden rot, and the number of free pickers who may enter the gardens in search of ripe produce. 

• ​End of season​​
  

  Water is shut off in mid-September, and gardeners are responsible for leveling and cleaning their plots by the end of October. If a plot is not closed down for the season by this time, Parks and Recreation staff will notify the gardener that they have five days to complete their clean-up. If clean-up isn’t completed, the gardener won't be able to participate in the community gardens the following season. ​​​
  

• ​Organic gardening
  

  ​Organic gardening is required. Chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are prohibited. Contact Parks and Recreation staff if you want more information.​​
  

Structure Guidelines​​

• Structures
  

  Structures may be no bigger than four feet tall and four feet wide and should be in the center of the plot. Avoid blocking sunlight from reaching your neighbors garden plot. Doors, gates, and greenhouses are not allowed. Structures must not block garden pathways or access to neighboring plots. ​
  

• Hoop houses
  

  Small, semi-portable structures can be used for warming soil, starting seeds, and growing vegetables. Hoop houses should not exceed four feet in height, shadow neighboring plots, or obstruct garden pathways.​
  

• Fencing
  

  Only use four to six-foot wire fencing and metal or composite posts to surround your plot. Keep fencing within the plot markers. Fencing that is outside the plot markers, blocking the walkways, made of hazardous materials, or fail to meet height requirements will be removed. The following materials are not allowed to be used for fencing: visqueen sheets, plastic sheets, tarps, orange snow fencing, and flagging.

• Pathways
  

  Gardeners are responsible for the pathways surrounding their plot. Pathways must remain at their original width and free from weeds and obstructions. Plants may not grow into or hang over the paths. Tools and garden refuse may be in the pathway while you are working on your plot but must be removed when you are finished for the day.

Utilities and Tool Guidelines​

• Water
  

  The water lines are turned on in mid-May and turned off in mid-September (actual dates vary based on weather conditions). Be courteous and give others equal opportunities to use the water. Keep your hoses leak-free, and do not drag hoses over neighboring gardens. 

  Be aware of water line location when you dig. If you hit a water line, notify the Park Maintenance Hotline at 907-343-4554. It is your responsibility to pay for repairs from damaging a water line.
  

• Tools
  

  Gardeners are expected to bring their own seeds, gardening tools, hoses, and other supplies for their plots. Power tools may be used by adults, if they supply their own power. Electrical hook-ups are not provided.​
  

• Parking
  

  Use the designated parking area or legal street parking. Motor vehicles are prohibited from entering the community gardens or driving on the grass.​

General

• Compost and litter
  

  Please help keep the gardens tidy by picking up litter and plant waste and placing them into the appropriate receptacles. Do not throw weeds or rocks over the garden fence. 

• Children

  Children are encouraged to learn the benefits of gardening at a young age. Please make sure children are supervised and respect the neighboring garden plots, walkways, and other gardeners.

• Pets

  Pets are not allowed in the gardens and must remain on-leash in parking areas. ​​
  

• Vacation or leave of absence

  Notify the Lidia Selkregg Chalet staff at 907-343-6992 if you are leaving town and will not be tending your plot. If you are abandoning your plot for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible.
  

• Garden neighbors
  

  Get to know your neighbors and keep an eye on the community garden. Aware neighbors and gardeners will help to prevent vandalism and non-gardeners from entering the gardens to take produce. ​
  

• Forfeiture

  Following these guidelines should keep you from receiving violation notifications. Failure to maintain your garden plot could result in forfeiture of your gardening privileges. A written violation notice will be posted in your plot as well as mailed to the address on your rental agreement. You will have five days to correct the violation. If there is no response to the warning and letter, your plot, plot fee, and deposit will be forfeited for the year. Forfeited plots are not eligible for preferential plot reservations for the following season.
  

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