The City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department operates four year-round gardening sites. Gardeners are expected to abide by the following rules and regulations to ensure a happy and productive gardening experience for all. Failure to comply with Rules & Responsibilities may result in cancellation of program participation.
General
- All garden work should be conducted during daylight hours.
- Community Garden participants shall practice pack in, pack out (leave no trace). Please take home and discard of all garbage and recycling appropriately. Do not leave debris in your plot.
- Only closed compost systems are permitted in plots. Other vegetative debris shall be placed in the designated area.
- Use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides is prohibited. Organic fertilizers are allowed.
- Do not bring pets to the gardens. This excludes service animals, which must be kept on leash.
- Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
- No motorized equipment permitted except gas-powered rototillers.
- Do not store any personal materials anywhere outside of leased plot.
- Subletting or reassigning plots to other gardeners is prohibited.
- Gardeners must volunteer 5 hours annually, recorded with Parks by October 15. Check the bulletin board and email updates for volunteer opportunities.
- Gardeners who are notified of not meeting expectations outlined in the Community Garden Rules & Responsibilities will have 7 days to resolve the identified issues or to contact Parks to make a maintenance plan. Gardeners who are unable to resolve identified issues will result in cancellation of program participation and plot reassignment.
- Garden newsletters/updates will be emailed and posted on bulletin board. Gardeners without email addresses are responsible for checking the bulletin board for updates.
- Do not plant, remove, perform maintenance on, or in any other way interfere with another gardener’s plot without explicit permission from the plot holder.
Maintenance
We understand that there are different styles of gardening and different aesthetics, but as a shared community garden there are certain maintenance standards we expect all plots to meet.
- Each gardener is responsible for weekly maintenance and upkeep of their garden plot, fence line, and adjoining walkways to the mid-point.
- Plots must be kept neat and tidy year-round; please limit storage items and debris to minimize safety hazards and pest/rodent problems. Fence line/plot perimeter must remain accessible for maintenance. Plots, fence lines, and walkways must have minimal weeds and grasses. “Weeds” are defined as:
1) anything on the Whatcom County Noxious Weed Board current list:
Current Weed List | Whatcom County, WA – Official Website
2) Anything that spreads more quickly/aggressively than weekly maintenance can control - Seed spread must be kept to a reasonable minimum to prevent undue burden on neighboring plots
- Place all weeds removed from the garden for disposal in the designated compost area.
- Rocks shall be placed in designated areas. Do not leave rocks in the turf area around the garden.
- Fall clean up: Plots should be tidied and cleared of rotting vegetation which may attract rodents or pests; cover crops and/or mulching is encouraged.
Composting
- Place all weeds, organic material, or useable compost in the designated compost area. Household or yard waste generated off-site is not permitted. Compost pickup will occur twice per year, spring and fall.
- Only closed compost bin systems are permitted in plots (to prevent pest and rodent issues).
Watering
- Water hoses are available to share among community garden program participants. Please adhere to summer water conservation guidelines. Limit watering to 30 minutes when other gardeners are waiting to water their plots.
- Water hoses shall not be attached to overhead watering systems or drip watering systems.
- Gardener must remain on-site when watering.
- Water is for Community Garden plot use only.
Plant Materials
- No invasive or woody plants may be planted in the garden. This includes trees, shrubs and vines, such as wisteria, and invasive tubers. Grape vines, bush and cane fruits (i.e. raspberries and blueberries) are permitted but MUST be trimmed and maintained.
- For more information about invasive plants contact the Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board.
Structures
- All garden structure requests (i.e. storage containers, fencing, netting, raised beds, pots over 12 inches, individual composting bins, etc.) must be pre-approved by Park Operations. Structure requests must be received in writing. Park Operations staff will make the final determination and respond to the requestor.
- No structures will be permitted over 7 feet tall.
- All garden materials and approved structures must be within the garden plot. Gardeners must be able to walk around the structure and be able to maintain plot/fence lines.
- Garden materials and approved structures that go outside of garden plot will be removed and discarded as it interferes with garden perimeter maintenance, other garden plots and may impose safety risks for gardeners.
- Fencing cannot be made of solid materials such as brick, stone or wood. Fence materials/posts shall not be set in concrete. Fence lines must be accessible from inside the plot.
- No planting on shared fences without consent from neighboring gardener(s).
- No heating units are permitted.
Bulletin Boards
- Bulletin boards are for Community Garden information sharing only. No advertising or personal notices.
Community Garden Sheds
Each site has a shed with donated tools and materials for all gardeners to use. Contact the Parks & Recreation Department for information about access.
- When using materials from the shed, return items where they were found in clean condition.
- Gardeners may donate hand tools such as clippers, rakes, hoes, wheelbarrows, and shovels in good condition. Do not store personal items in the shed.
- Do not donate hardscaping items (fence, posts, plastic, bricks, stones, etc.)
- Secure the shed upon leaving.
Conflict Resolution
- Conflict resolution:
- Call 911 – for any emergency, theft, or crime.
- Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (360) 676-0122 www.whatcomDRC.org
- Contact Parks – for gardening information or help. parks@cob.org
- Contact Park Operations (360) 778-7100 – for concerns about garden maintenance.
- Contact the Main Office (360) 778-7000 – to register and pay for your plots.
The City of Bellingham is not responsible for personal items left at the Community Gardens.
Resources
Fee Waiver Form
County-wide Community Garden Map
Contacts
Parks and Recreation Community Garden Program
Registration: (360) 778-7000
Email: parks@cob.org
Parks and Recreation Contacts
