Every renter is responsible for reading, understanding, and following the information listed below.

Plot Rental

Individuals: Individuals over the age of 18 may rent a garden plot. All renters, including co-renters, must be included in the garden agreement (name/contact info) and sign a waiver.

Organizations: Organizations renting a plot must ensure that all clients and staff understand the rules and sign a waiver.

Fees and Billing Cycle
Plot Rental Period || Fee Deadline

• January 1st – June 30th || December 31st 

• July 1st – December 31st  || June 30th 

Garden Plot Rental Fees

Fees include water, trash service, green waste disposal, and garden tools. 

NOTE: Biannual rental fees are due by December 31st and June 30th. If renting a plot in the middle of a billing cycle, you will be charged a prorated amount. The amount is adjusted after the 15th of the month; see below.

Late Fees/Non-Payment

If rental fees are not received by January 15th or July 15th, a $25.00 late fee will be added. If plot rental and late fees are not received by January 30th or July 30th, you will be asked to relinquish your plot(s) and may lose your rental deposit. Delinquent fees will be turned over to the City Treasury for collection. Meiners Oaks Community Garden reserves the right to modify its garden plot rental fees at any time with a minimum of 30-day written notice.  

Payment Options

Plot Assignment/Allocation

Opening Assignment: If initial sign up has more than 38 applicants, assignment will be in the form of a lottery.

Plot Allocation: Plots may not be reassigned, divided, or sublet to others. Only one plot is allowed per household.  

Waiting List: MOCG’s Garden Coordinator will create a waitlist if all plots are rented. When a plot becomes available, garden staff will contact the first person on the list. That person will have five calendar days to accept. If they do not respond within five calendar days, their name will be dropped from the waiting list. Specific plots may not be requested.

Garden Plot Rental Cancellation

Notification: Please notify the Garden Coordinator via email of your intent to cancel your garden plot rental. Upon receipt of your notice, the Garden Coordinator will contact you to review the exit procedures below. 

Refundable Deposit: To receive your full deposit upon leaving the garden, you must:

1. Notify the Garden Coordinator in writing of your intent to leave the garden and your exit date.

2. Clean your plot(s) of all vegetation, weeds, and objects, and mulch the pathways. Items left by a renter will become the property of the garden and may not be removed by other renters.

3. MOCG’s Garden Coordinator will inspect the vacated plot and issue a refund request, provided the plot has been cleaned up.

Forfeited Deposit: If a renter cannot clean the plot, the deposit will be lost to cover this cost. 

Plot Use

Boundary:  Please respect the garden plot boundaries. Do not place boxes, furniture, or structures outside your plot perimeter. Pathways should be at least three feet wide. Contact the Garden Coordinator if you are unsure where your plot ends. 

Structures:  No permanent structures allowed. Trellises and arbors are permitted, but you must first obtain permission from the Garden Coordinator. No structures that cast shade on another plot are allowed.  

Digging, Bunkers, and Trenches:  Bunkers and open trenches are not allowed in the garden as they pose a danger. Please do not dig more than you can finish daily. Under no condition should anyone dig deeper than 18 inches to avoid damaging water lines. If you find exposed water lines, contact the Garden Coordinator immediately. Renters may be liable for damages and repairs due to negligence.  

Organic:  The Community Gardens practice organic principles. No artificial herbicides, pesticides, or synthetic chemical fertilizers are allowed. No pressure-treated wood, tires, or railroad ties are permitted in the garden. Everyone must follow organic gardening principles defined in the Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening by Rodale Press. 

Plants:  Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers may be grown unless it falls under one of the categories below. Commercial growing is not permitted. Plants that interfere with conditions in a neighboring plot, e.g., trees or shrubs that cast shadows and consume large amounts of water, are not allowed in the garden. As a rule, plants and trellises that support them may not exceed six feet in height due to the shading of adjacent garden plots. 

Do Not Plant:  Invasive, illegal, and toxic plants are not allowed in the garden. This includes:

• Mint

• Pampas grass

• Dill

• Smoking tobacco

• Marijuana/illegal substances

• Ice plant

• Morning glory

• Grape vines

• Bamboo

Plant Placement:  Please consider the amount of space your plants will use. Do not place tall, crawling, or spreading plants, like cucumbers, squash, or tomatoes, along the perimeter of your plot, as they will "trespass" over the plot boundaries. Likewise, do not place stakes, thorny potted plants, or artichokes at the edge of your plot where thorns can injure someone passing by.  

Personal Items:  Renters accept all risk for items left in their plot. MOCG is not responsible for stolen or missing items. We strongly discourage renters from bringing tables, chairs, umbrellas, tools, pots, building materials, etc., and leaving them in the garden.

Maintenance

Plot Maintenance: Every renter is responsible for gardening and maintaining their plot and the pathways surrounding their plot. Plots are for active gardening, not storage. Plots must be tidy and free of debris, empty pots, and trash. If a renter is not using their plot, they will be asked to relinquish it so that someone else may use it. If a renter cannot temporarily care for their plot, contact MOCG’s Garden Coordinator as soon as possible to explain the circumstances. 

Pathways: All pathways surrounding the plot must be maintained and kept free of weeds, with at least 3"-4" of mulch or wood chips at all times. Do not use plastic as a weed barrier in the plot or pathways. Keep pathways clear of tripping hazards. Hoses must be coiled neatly. Hoses left in pathways will be removed by garden staff. 

Water

Hose bibs are placed throughout the garden for members to use. Garden hoses are provided and stored in the tool shed. Any hose or splitter left on a hose bib is assumed to be for the use of all renters. If a renter supplies a hose/splitter or hand-held sprayer and prefers that neighboring renters not share it, it must be removed from the hose/bib when not in use.  

Soaker hoses may only be used while present in the garden. No water timers are allowed. Water may never be left on when the renter is not in the garden. There will be no exceptions.

Parking

Street parking is limited. Please consider walking or biking. A bike rack is provided in the garden.

Waste

Please place green waste and trash in designated areas or receptacles. Do not bring personal waste from home to dispose of at the garden.

General Information

Hours:  Sunrise to Sunset 

Gates and Locks: The gate locks share the same combination. This combination is changed periodically. Gates should always remain closed unless a renter is loading/unloading supplies. All gates should be locked after each use and when the last renter leaves the premises. 

Emergencies: In an emergency, please call 911. Please follow up with the City’s Garden Coordinator to report the incident when appropriate. 

Use of Tools and Equipment: A variety of garden tools and equipment are available for use. Please treat tools and equipment carefully. Return tools to the garden shed when done and lock up wheelbarrows after each use. Garden tools should not be taken off property.

Common Use Areas: Please clean up after yourself and remove any trash. 

Rules

No Smoking: No smoking or vaping in the garden or by the entrance. 

No Pets: Pets are not allowed inside the garden. 

Respect: Never remove anything from another plot. Renters violating this policy may be required to relinquish their garden plots. Renters may not place items in vacant plots, even temporarily.  

Amplified Sound: Please keep the volume down so as not to disturb neighboring renters. 

Children/Guests: Children and guests must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times. 

Non-Compliance: Courtesy and non-compliance letters will be sent to renters not adhering to the garden rules: maintaining plots/pathways free of weeds, non-payment of fees, tools left on plots, etc. MOCG’s Garden Coordinator will attempt to notify a renter of non-compliance. A renter who receives two notices of non-compliance within one year or three notices within their tenure will be asked to relinquish their plot.