Online Plot Renewals

Renewing your plots for 2026

To renew your plots, please first read and agree to the 2026 Fairmount Community Garden Membership Agreement. At the bottom of this page, you will be asked to submit your name, phone number, email address and acknowledge that you have read and agree to the garden guidelines. Once you’ve submitted your form, you will be directed to PayPal to complete your payment.

• If you have not completed the renewal for your plot(s) by December 1st, they will become available for rental.

• If you are interested in renting an additional plot, please add your name to the waitlist and add in the comments that this is for an additional plot. Available plots will be opened to current gardeners once we have made it through our waitlist of new gardeners.

2026 FAIRMOUNT COMMUNITY GARDEN MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT

As a member of the Fairmount Community Garden (hereafter referred to as the "Garden"), I agree to the following terms and conditions. By initialing next to each item, I acknowledge that I understand and agree to comply with these rules.

Membership

1. Dues: I agree to pay an annual, non-refundable fee of $75 to cover the rental for a single garden plot, garden maintenance, supplies, and shared resources. These fees are due prior to January 1st of each year. I understand that if I join after the start of the year, the fee may be prorated at the discretion of the garden board.

2. Termination of Membership: I understand that my membership may be revoked if I fail to follow this agreement or maintain my plot after reasonable warning from the garden board.

3. Eligibility for Renewal: I understand that failure to garden in my plot for a period of 12 consecutive months or failure to meet Workday requirements will result in nonrenewal for the following year.

Member Rules

1. Hours of Operation: The Garden is open from dawn until dusk unless otherwise noted. Special events may extend beyond these hours with approval.

2. Plot Maintenance:

   • Plots must be actively gardened for at least one season during each rental period, with exceptions made at the discretion of the Board.

   • Members must maintain the neat appearance of their personal plot year-round, including times and seasons when not actively gardening.

   • Plots should be kept predominantly free (weeded not just trimmed) of weeds and grasses at all times.

   • To prevent growth of grasses and weeds, plots must be either covered with plastic or planted with a cover crop if they will be left untended for more than two months at a time.

   • Plots should be harvested on a regular basis and dead plants removed.

   • Cultivated plants should not impede passage through walkways or extend more than 6’ above the bed’s soil level.

   • If members will not be able to tend to their plot for more than one month, they will be responsible for notifying the Board and finding alternative means to tending their plot.

3. Large Plants: Sunflowers, trees, or other large plants that may cast shade on neighboring plots are not allowed.

4. Toxic or Invasive Plants: Toxic plants harmful to pets or humans and invasive species are not allowed. A typical, though not exhaustive list is maintained on the FCG website.

5. Fertilizers and Pesticides: Only organic fertilizers and pesticides may be used in the Garden.

6. Harvesting: Members may only harvest from their own plot and designated public pick plots, except with renter’s permission. Ripe produce must be harvested in a timely manner, or members will receive a 14 day warning prior to the Board harvesting and donating produce on the member’s behalf.

7. Children: Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

8. Pets: All pets must be leashed and cleaned up after.

9. Trash and Discarded Plants: Trash and discarded plants must be disposed of appropriately and not left in the walkways.

10. Water Hoses: After use, members must turn off water hoses at the spigot and wrap hoses up properly.

11. Tools and Equipment: Shared tools and equipment provided by the Garden must be returned in clean and working order after each use. Members are responsible for any personal tools brought to the Garden.

12. Communication: Members should reach out to a Garden Board member if they cannot maintain their plot or require assistance.

13. Produce Sales: Members may not sell produce grown in the Garden on the property.

14. Disruptive behavior: Loud music, confrontational actions, or other disruptive behaviors are prohibited.

15. Termination of membership: The Garden Board reserves the right to reassign poorly maintained plots after reasonable warning (see Garden Rules Violation Warning Policy).

Workday Policy

• Members are typically required to attend at least three garden workdays per year.

• Those unable to meet this requirement may, with Board approval:

• provide an equivalent service (6 hours) at other times, or

• pay $75 to support garden upkeep (this equates to $25 per workday)

• Members must take the initiative to notify a Board member if they cannot meet the workday requirement to make arrangements for paying the fee or providing other service.

• Members who fail to fulfill the workday requirement or the alternatives during their rental period will not be eligible for plot renewal in the succeeding year.

Garden Rules Violation Warning Policy

1. Initial Violation Notification

• If a gardener is found to be in violation of the Garden Rules, they will be issued an initial warning.

• The warning will be provided in writing (via email) and will clearly state the nature of the violation, the steps required to correct the issue, and a reasonable deadline by which compliance must be achieved (typically 7-14 days).

2. Second Warning

• If the gardener does not address the issue within the given timeframe or the violation continues, a second warning will be issued.

• This warning will reiterate the nature of the violation and outline that failure to comply within the next specified period (another 7 days) will result in the forfeiture of their plot.

3. Final Warning and Notice of Plot Release

• If the violation remains unresolved after the second warning, the gardener will receive a final warning.

• The final warning will state that the gardener is now at risk of having their plot reassigned to another participant.

• If no action is taken within the final deadline of the second warning (7 days), the gardener will be formally notified that their plot has been forfeited and will be reassigned to someone on the waiting list.

4. Appeal Process

• Gardeners have the right to appeal any warning or plot release decision.

• Appeals must be submitted by email to the President within 7 days of the final warning and will be reviewed by the Garden Board.

• The decision of the Garden Board will be final.

Liability

1. Waiver: I understand that the Garden, any associated organizations, or owners of the land are not responsible for my actions. I therefore agree to hold harmless the aforementioned parties for any liability, damage, loss, or claim that may occur in connection with the use of the garden by me or any of my guests.