Garden beds are available for a $65 donation for the garden season running April 1st-March 31st. Donors are entitled to use a 8 x 3 raised bed garden, sprinkler system, water, tools, and compost bin. Doantions are also used to pay for the maintenance and improvement of the Seeds of Hope Community Garden. Garden beds can be reserved by making your donation prior to March 1st. Any open garden beds will be released to prospective gardeners on March 2nd.
We are an organic garden. Environmentally harmful chemical herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers are not allowed. Seedlings from retail nurseries are acceptable. Gardeners agree to supply their own seeds and plants.
Gardeners agree to begin preparing and planting plots no later than May 1st. If a plot is not prepared or planted by May 1st, the garden plot will be re-assigned.
Gardeners who decide to forego winter crops should clean out their garden areas no later than October 1st (or the day of the fall clean-up). All plants, twine, stakes, cages, and markers should be removed. Those gardeners who wish to plant winter crops should clean out their garden areas no later than March 15.
If gardeners must abandon their plot for any reason during the year, please notify the gardening leadership immediately so the plot can be reassigned.
Our gardens have an automatic sprinkler system, but should be monitored on a regular basis for adequate watering due to seasonal variations in rain. Any additional watering must follow Cobb County Water restrictions (see attached for more details)
Gardeners will attend their plots at least once per week during growing seasons. At this time, weeds should be removed as well as any rotting material. If you need to miss a week, please ask someone to check on your garden.
Be courteous to other members of the garden, and leave their plots alone. If you have a concern about someone’s plot, talk to the member or garden leaders about your concern.
Be considerate of your neighbors. Vining plants must be controlled to stay within your own plot. If you trellis crops, plant them where they will not shade out your neighbors’ crops. We do not allow corn or sunflowers, as they shade out surrounding garden areas. Harvest only from your assigned plot, unless you have permission to do so from other gardeners.
Garden plots and surrounding area must be kept free of rocks, debris, and weeds. Discard organic material (no meat or bones) in the compost pile. All trash should be placed in the trash receptacle. All Tools should be returned to the storage bin.
Community Garden Days will be held monthly per the garden calendar during April- October. April and October are REQUIRED months where we will have a general garden clean-up, operational meeting, and refreshments. The other months are optional but are strongly recommended. These will give gardeners the opportunity to work together on their own gardens and to ask questions. We will feature educational sessions at some of these Garden Days.
A portion of your garden’s harvest will be donated to MUST Ministries. Our harvest volunteers pick any remaining mature produce on Mondays. Please plan to do your personal picking prior to Mondays. If you are unable to harvest on your own by Monday, but would like produce to remain in your garden, please notify garden leadership and we will notify our volunteers.
