Bylaws

Plot Assignments

1. Each plot will have between 1 and 3 members.
2. Member gardeners renewing from the previous season will have first preference and may choose either the same plot or, if one exists, a vacant plot as long as the plot is cleared.
3. Existing members must pay annual dues no later than April 15 of every year, or their membership may be considered expired and their plot will be released.
4. New members must pay dues within 1 week of their plot assignments or their plots will be released. New members may not work on their plots until dues are received.
5. Annual membership dues are based on plots and membership level. One plot is $65 for a Standard Membership and $45 for a Working Membership effective for the term of the calendar year, payable to the Conshohocken Community Garden.  Dues for double plots are $65 per year. Fall-only membership plots (if available) are $20 and are available August 1 and effective for the remainder of the calendar year.
6. New double plots will not be available until after June 15 of each year and are limited to members who have gardened at least one full year and are in good standing. Double plots will be assigned at the discretion of Garden Leadership. 
7. Up to three plots may be reserved for schools, other community organizations, or others as approved by the members. The gardeners in these plots are not considered members, do not pay dues, and do not have a right to vote as members. However, gardeners in these three plots must meet the same plot standards as any other gardeners and sign waivers.

Membership

Membership Types:

• Standard Member annual membership fee $65
• Working Member annual membership fee $45
• The garden is operated by the members, and therefore, the members will meet regularly to ensure the garden is well maintained, the rules are consistent, fruits and vegetables grow bountiful, and the Conshohocken Community Garden members form a community.
  1. Meetings will occur monthly from March through September and optionally in other months as needed. Garden Leadership will meet February through November of each year.
  2. When voting, one member per plot may vote. No member shall have more than one vote. That is, double plots receive only one vote, not two.
  3. Membership fees are nonrefundable.

Member Benefits

Members receive:

• A 10-foot by 10-foot plot
• Access to water (and a hose to supply it) from March through October
• Access to tools, shovels, wheelbarrows, and other necessary gardening equipment
• Compost
• Camaraderie, help, and fun as part of a community of gardeners

Member Responsibilities

All Members agree to:

• Read and abide by the General Rules and Bylaws prior to committing to membership
• Pay membership fees on time.
• Keep an updated email, phone number, and address on file with Membership Chair.
• Plant their plot by May 31st each season or the plot may be forfeited.
• Keep their plot at least 75% planted and actively maintained each season until August 15 or beyond. Once a member is finished gardening for the year, they are required to clean-out their plot within 2 weeks. Failure to maintain and/or clean out a plot is grounds for membership to be considered not in good standing. An inspection committee will determine the status of a member’s plot at regular intervals.

Standard Member agrees to:

• Meet the planting and clean up deadlines throughout the season.
• Attend meetings when possible and participate as willing in garden events.

Working Member agrees to:

• All that is specified for a Standard Member.
• Attend at least two meetings per season between March and October. *Exceptions can be made if the meeting time is a persistent conflict.
• Participate in at least two “working” events or tasks. Tasks include but are not limited to:
  • Community Work Days, Clean Up Days, and Project Days where there is a set meeting time and tasks to complete. These take place primarily in Spring between March and June with the occasional late summer Community Work Day. A minimum of one hour present at each event is expected.
  • Lawn Care tasks including mowing aisles, the perimeter, and shared community space or weed trimming around plots, the perimeter, and shared community space. When completed, sign the sheet in the shed and/or notify the Inspections Chairperson.
  • Flower Bed Upkeep: Sign-up for a flower bed segment and maintain it all summer keeping it free of weeds, trash, etc.
• Specific tasks for season start up or shut down such as Shed Clean Out at the beginning and end of the season, beginning-of-season water hose assembly or end-of-season disassembly and draining.

Member Plot Guidelines

Garden criteria help make a successful and bountiful garden for everyone. Be mindful that what you do in your plot impacts your fellow gardeners.

1. Each member is responsible for weeding and clearing his/her plot.
2. Each member is expected to visit his or her plot at least once per week (or ask another member to do so on their behalf).
3. Gardening activity and plant growth (exclusive of common plots and plants) is restricted to the member’s plot. Make sure your plants, roots, watering, tilling, and other activities do not invade or impact neighboring plots.
4. Each gardener is responsible for trash and recyclable removal. Trash must be bagged and left at the front gate for Monday or Thursday morning trash pick-up. Recyclables must be placed in the recycling container for Monday morning pick-up. Organic matter should be bagged in yard waste bags. Yard waste bags should be able to be easily lifted and set out under the CCG borough sign for Wednesday morning pick-up.
5. Non-compliance with these rules will lead to warnings. More than 2 warnings designates your membership as not in good standing, and you may lose your plot and membership in Conshohocken Community Garden. If you are expelled, your plot fee will not be returned.
6. Plots in poor condition will be cleaned out.
7. Growing or using illegal substances in the garden will lead to immediate expulsion with no return of the plot fee. Pesticides and other chemicals used by gardeners are regulated by the gardening guidelines and rules. Currently, chemical pesticides and fertilizers are prohibited, along with pressure treated lumber is strongly discouraged. Violators will lose their plots, and their membership fees will not be returned.
8. Gardeners must follow the guidelines and rules issued upon acceptance of their membership.

General Rules

1. Grievances are to be brought to the Garden Leadership for resolution.
2. No digging for worms anywhere in the garden.
3. Do not enter other members’ plots unless invited or the plot has a “Pick Me” sign.
4. Dogs may be brought into the garden only by members and must be restrained on a leash, walked in the exterior perimeter or middle pathway, tethered safely in the rear community picnic space or a safe distance from other members and plots, and the member responsible must clean up any droppings, food, etc.
   1. Violators of the dog guest guidelines will be required to keep his or her pet at home for future visits without further warning.
5. If, for any reason (health, vacation, work, etc), you will be temporarily unable to maintain your plot, please inform Garden Leadership in writing. If you have a substitute gardener or need a substitute, inform the Garden Leadership in writing. Substitute gardeners must follow all garden rules and be made aware of mulch and pesticide/chemical use.

Personal Gardening Pledge

I WILL

• Support building a community of gardeners in Conshohocken Community Garden.
• Practice to the best of my ability sustainable and organic gardening practices.
• Conserve water at all times by: watering no more than 15 minutes at a time, utilizing watering best practices, and turning off all water spouts completely when finished.
• Keep my garden plot at least 75% planted between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Keep my plot free of weeds, invasive plants, grass, and dead plants.
• Plant all plants in the ground, in raised beds, or in an appropriate manner for the plot (such as pots for flowers and bag planting for potatoes). Plant crops that grow over four feet in height in a manner that shades neighboring plots.
• Keep my garden plot free of overripe, rotting, and spoiled fruits and vegetables.
• Refrain from token plantings or planting a cover crop, unless expressly approved by the Garden Leadership.
• Put trash, recycling, and gardening refuse in the appropriate containers.
• Coil the hose on the storage rack in a neat manner – taking care to straighten all kinks – when not in use.
• Report problems with hoses or other equipment promptly to any member of Garden Leadership.
• Allow a clear path through aisles for others to run a hose to water their garden.
• Compost appropriately.
• Participate in maintaining and developing common areas.
• Leave the common area in good condition after any social event.
• Notify Garden Leadership of any damaged items or problems in the garden.

I WILL NOT

• Use pressure treated wood in my plot.
• Cut or damage any hose.
• Bring or dump trash from home or from outside the garden.
• Construct a fence in excess of 54 inches in height from path level around the plot, including vegetable fences.
• Construct solid wall fencing.
• Allow the soil height to exceed the boundary board on my plot.
• Store excess or unused tomato cages, trellises, and/or stakes in my plot or leave them in the common areas of the garden. After November 15th, abandoned materials will become property of the garden to be used for common spaces or donated plots.
• Have trellises, supports, or cages that exceed 5 feet in height or shade neighboring plots.
• Construct any shade structures, greenhouses, or use black shade cloth as a fencing material.
• Erect any statues, flags, banners, or other ornaments in my plot more than 24 inches in height. I will not have any more than two of these items in my plot.
• Use synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or rodent repellents. If I have a question on what is considered organic or acceptable, I will check with Garden Leadership.
• Let plants over 4 feet in height shade my neighbors plot.
• Bring grass clippings to the garden.
• Use guns, bow/arrows, or other projectiles against rodents and other pest-animals, for the safety of others and consistent with Borough Ordinances.
• Remove any community tools, equipment, or materials from the garden without the expressed written consent of Garden Leadership.
• Plant any illegal or poisonous plants, plants that spread through underground runners, canes, or other such means, or any plants deemed by the Garden Leadership to be unsuitable including, but not limited to:
  • Bamboo or Sugarcane
  • Mint
  • Cactus
  • Climbing Flowers (i.e. Morning Glory, Four O’clock, Wisteria, etc)
  • Caneberries (i.e. raspberries, blackberries, etc)
  • Castor Beans
  • Chayote Squash
  • Jerusalem Artichoke
  • Roses that spread through underground runners
  • Perennials that grow over 4 feet tall
    • Planting corn and sunflowers is only permissible in plots that are directly along Elm Street, along the rear fence, in shared community space, or as decided by Garden Leadership. They should be planted to minimize shading other plots.

Release of Liability

All members and guests must sign the following statement:

I, the undersigned member of the Conshohocken Community Garden, hereby agree to hold harmless Conshohocken Community Garden and the Conshohocken Borough Authority (land-owner) from and against any damage, loss, liability, claim, demand, suit, cost, and expense directly or indirectly resulting from, arising out of, or in connection with the use of the Conshohocken Community Garden by the garden group, its successors, assigns, employees, agents, and invites. Additionally, I agree to abide by the Rules and Bylaws of the Conshohocken Community Garden.