Duluth Community Garden Program

We assign garden plots in early April. To get on the waiting list, contact us as early as possible. E-mail us at duluthcommgarden@yahoo.com or call at 218.722.4583. In your e-mail or phone message leave your name, address, phone number, e-mail (if you have one). If there is a garden site in particular that you would like to garden at, let us know. Otherwise, we try to place people at garden sites close to their homes when possible.

Cost:
The fee for a 20x20ft. plot is on a sliding scale between 10 and 50 dollars. We offer tilling on a sliding scale for an additional 5 to 15 dollars per plot. The scale we use is as follows: At plot sign up we ask that you bring a tax return for income verification if you would like a reduced rate.

Plot Sign Up:
In March we contact last year’s gardeners and find out who is going to garden again this year. Then we start calling people on the waiting list to fill in the holes. You will be contacted about your plot assignment in late March. Plot sign up will take place April 2nd, 4-7pm, April 3rd, 11am-4pm, and April 4th 9am – 1pm in 2009. At plot sign up you’ll find out what plot you’ve been assigned. You’ll fill out the contract (bring your tax return for a reduced plot fee), a survey, and pay for your plot. You must come to plot sign up to get a plot. If you are unable to attend, your plot will be given away unless you arrange with us, before plot sign up, a time to come in to fill out paperwork and pay. At plot sign-up seeds will be available for sale. A week or two after plot sign up you will receive a map in the mail of your garden site with the names and contact information of your fellow gardeners and the site coordinator. We aim for having plots tilled by around the 15th of May (weather permitting).

Expectations of Gardeners:
Volunteering: We ask each gardener to contribute a minimum of 5 volunteer hours. At plot sign up you will be able to sign up to volunteer at some events and/or you will be called on the phone to volunteer.

To ensure the success of this season please carefully read the policies below:

Chemical use policy/soil policy statement: we prohibit the use of toxic chemicals, either synthetically or organically derived. Developing healthy plants through developing healthy soil diminishes the need for the use of chemicals. Even the one-time use of a pesticide can have detrimental affects on soil life for future gardeners. If gardeners are having weed or pest problems they are encouraged to call the office for information and suggestions before using chemicals; we will help you find an alternative. In order to implement this policy, the garden program will provide education, information, and assistance to promote organic solutions in areas of pest control, weed control and fertilizing. We will also attempt to apply compost to the gardens every few years, budget allowing. We ask that gardeners also compost and/or add compost to the soil.

If you are paying for us to till your plot you must take down you fence in the fall. We are unable to till plots that are fenced.

Gardens not planted by June 15, 2009 will be reclaimed by the Garden Program and reassigned or planted with a cover crop to enrich the soil and inhibit the growth of weeds. Please call to let us know if you are having difficulty getting your plot planted.

Tools – shovels, rakes, hoes and compost forks are available to be borrowed at the Garden Program office for a refundable deposit of $5. We also have a small mantis tiller. Call first.

Library – a variety of books and magazines on organic gardening and related topics are available for check out at the Garden Program office.

Tilling – twine wraps around the tines of the tiller and can cause major damage. Use only natural fiber twine in your garden, and be sure to pick it up in the fall.

Rocks – rocks destroy lawn mower blades – please don’t throw rocks out of your garden onto the grassy area that will be mowed.

Having a beautiful place to garden is nice for the gardeners as well as the others who live in the neighborhood, and important for the reputation of the garden program. We would appreciate everyone helping to keep the garden site free of trash and tidy. During the summer, the garden contact person will arrange clean up and work days. We appreciate your participation in these events.

Bring 2008 tax forms to apply for a reduced fee.

Family size	Income level
	Less than	Between	More than
1	$14,700	$14,701–$24,500	$24,501
2	$19,800	$19,801–$33,000	$33,001
3	$24,900	$24,901–$41,500	$41,501
4	$30,000	$30,001–$75,000	$75,001
5	$35,100	$35,101–$87,750	$87,751
Plot fee	$10	$25	$50
Tilling fee	$5	$10	$25