COMMUNITY GARDEN RULES

Each garden has its own regulations. These will be communicated to you at your Annual General Meeting.

1. ACCESS TO GARDENS

1.1 ELIGIBILITY

1.2 ADDRESS

1.2.2 A gardener may not transfer his garden to another person.

1.3 CO-GARDENER

It is possible to have a gardener or a co-gardener. This person must be identified in the community garden file.
There can be only one cogardener or co-gardener in a garden.
The gardener temporarily replaces the main gardener when the person needs to be away and/or occasionally helps with gardening management 
The gardener is fully responsible for the actions of his or her gardener, who must have a membership card (if the garden requires one)
The gardener is designated to assist the main gardener, who must still be active in the garden.

The co-gardener is not considered a registered member of the Community Garden Program and must,
to get their own garden, register on the waiting list.

1.4 FREE GARDENS

After June 1, once the waiting list and allocation process are complete, the gardens are free
are assigned by the garden committees.

1.5 OPENING AND CLOSING

The community gardens are open from sunrise to sunset, from 1 May to 1 November.

1.6 IDENTIFICATION

A gardener must be able to identify himself at all times by presenting his garden membership card or a
ID and have the key to the garden.

1.7 KEYS

A gardener must close and close the fence door at the entrance and exit of the garden.
 When the gardener does not renew his or her garden or is expelled, the gardener should deliver
his keys to the garden committee.

1.8 ANIMALS

Animals are not allowed except for guide dogs.

It is forbidden to kill a wild animal in a garden.

Unprofessional groundhog trapping is an illegal practice. 
(Before seeking a trapper, the committee must validate the criteria with the district.)

1.9 BICYCLE

It is forbidden to cycle in the gardens. It should be stored in the space provided.

2. MAINTENANCE OF GARDENS

2.1 WEEDS

The maintenance of common areas is the joint responsibility of gardeners.

2.2 AISLES

Common aisles and alleyways adjacent to the garden must be free of undesirable grasses. The maintenance of
Alleys is under the responsibility of gardeners and planters whose plots are adjacent to said alleys. Moreover, no plant should overflow the gardens
and no objects can be stored in the aisles (tools, bags of dirt, etc.).

2.3 ABSENCE

A gardener who plans to be away for more than two weeks (vacation, illness, etc.) must
it is mandatory to notify the committee. He has a duty to entrust his garden to another person (member or not
member). He must also register as a co-gardener in the borough by calling 311.
 The District must be able to reach the co-gardener.

2.4 MUTUAL ASSISTANCE

Participants may occasionally help each other, but cannot regularly tend to a garden
other participant. This is interpreted as a person who owns two gardens. Anyone who maintains and harvests
frequently a small garden other than his own will be expelled 

2.5 PESTICIDES AND INSECTICIDES

Only ecological and biological control methods are accepted. Examples: physical barrier
(without nails or other potentially dangerous objects), naturally occurring pesticides (insecticidal soap,
neem, etc.) or ecological (sulfur, copper, etc.). The use of synthetic fertilizers is prohibited.

2.6 TREATMENT

Gardeners must carry out a thorough check of invasive plants, pests and insect pests.
They have to step in and correct the situation if necessary. If treatment is needed, they should apply it.

2.7 EDGES OF GARDENS AND RAISED TRAYS

Gardeners are prohibited from expanding their garden. The width of the common aisles must be maintained at all times.

expand them;

attach objects to it.

2.8 EXCEEDANCE

No plant should protrude from the small garden. After a first warning from the committee, if the situation is not
corrected, they will be cut.

2.9 EARTH LEVEL

The ground level should be 3 cm (1 inch) below the edge level.

2.10 WASTE

Gardeners must put their waste in the trays provided for this purpose. Waste must absolutely be
classified by type (green residues, recycling, waste). If the gardener wants to leave green residue on the floor, they have to cut it
so that they have a maximum length of six inches or 15 cm and spread them over their entire garden.
The spreading technique is accepted.

If your garden is a garden 0 waste (without recovery tanks), you will have to bring your waste
and recyclable materials at home.

2.11 GENERAL INTERVIEW

Gardeners should help maintain the garden. They have to put the tools back in their place, turn off the taps after watering,
replace the casings after watering, and keep common areas clean.

2.12 CHORES

Garden committees are responsible for the scheduling of chores. Gardeners must participate in a number
minimal chores.

2.13 MATERIALS

Materials used should be free of toxic substances and designed for outdoor gardening.

Any plastic material deemed unnecessary should be removed from the garden (e.g. plastic bags).

3. SECURITY

3.1 QUIETNESS OF THE PLACE

A pleasant atmosphere is essential to the practice of any leisure activity. Any person who,
by his words, his behavior or his attitude, repeatedly harms the tranquility of the place,
will be evicted without notice or procedure.

3.2 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND DRUGS

The consumption of alcoholic beverages and drugs is strictly prohibited.

Smoking tobacco within nine meters of any part of the perimeter is also prohibited
a place with tents, capitals and other facilities that welcome the public.

3.3 STEAL

It is strictly forbidden to steal tools from the community garden, steal vegetables/plants from another garden and bring compost or mulch outside the garden.

3.4 SALE

Growing for sale is strictly prohibited.

3.5 ASSAULT

No verbal or physical abuse of gardeners, gardeners, municipal employees and the committee will be tolerated.

3.6 URINE

it is forbidden to spread urine or feces in gardens.

3.7 SEE AND BE SEEN

For their safety, a person must be able to see and be seen in a community garden. Measuring plants
and tutors are done from the aisles and not the gardens. To do this, the following standards must be
respected.
3.7.1
MAXIMUM HEIGHT FROM AISLES
Arms (cottages)    3 feet    1 mths
Guardians    4 feet    1 m 20
Plants    5 feet    1.50
Elevated trays    6.5 feet    2 mths

4. PLANTING 

4.1 SEEDING

Gardeners must have sown or planted at least 75 % of the area of their garden as of 1 June,
otherwise they could face deportation without any other procedure.

4.2 CULTIVATED AREA

Seventy-five percent (75%) or more of the garden area must be cultivated during the season.

4.3 VARIETY

A minimum of five vegetable species (including varieties) is required per garden.

4.4 FLOWERS, HERBS AND BERRIES

Together, they must occupy a maximum of 30% of the surface area of the garden.

4.5 VEGETABLE

In order to maximize biodiversity and minimize soil impoverishment, a vegetable species is not
can occupy more than 25% of the surface area of the garden. The different varieties or cultivars are
considered to be of the same species. (Ex: cherry tomatoes and beef hearts tomatoes represent
one species; amaranthus cruentus (red spinach) and amaranthus cruentus (red spinach) also represent the same species).

4.6 AMARANTH

The cultivation of a single flowering amaranth plant is permitted. However, the flowers of this plant must be
covered to prevent the spread of seeds. This Regulation also applies to all other varieties
amaranthus cruentus (red spinach).

4.7 GARDEN EXTERIOR

No production jars used for growing vegetables or flowers shall be tolerated outside the gardens.
It is forbidden to plant outside your garden. The garden area is defined by
wooden planks or mulch on the ground.

5. REASONS WHY SOME PLANTS ARE PROHIBITED

5.1 HEIGHT (except dwarf varieties)

Maize
Sunflower
Amaranth in flowers (the cultivation of a plant is tolerated. See conditions of Article 5(6)
Tobacco
Decorative vineyards

5.2 SPREAD OF DISEASE

Potato
Cuscuta

5.3. SIZE

Pumpkin

5.4 INVASIVE AND PARASITIC PLANTS

Amaranth in bloom
Amaranthus cruentus (red spinach) in bloom (a plant is tolerated to grow).
See conditions of Article 5(6)
Cuscuta
Mint. Mint is permitted, but must be planted in a pot.
The pot should be placed inside the garden and above ground.

5.5 OTHER

Any dangerous plant (Caucasian hogweed, poison ivy, etc.)
Any inedible shrub
Any plant prohibited by law
Any other species with characteristics similar to
those listed above are prohibited.

6. GARDEN CLOSURE

END-OF-SEASON CLEANING

Gardeners must have cleaned their garden by 1 November or by the date set by the
committee. If they have not done so, they will be deported without further proceedings. No non-compostable waste should be
left in the garden (ties, strings, labels, styrofoam, etc.).

A gardener who has left the garden or has been evicted and who wants to retrieve their perennials must do so by May 1 of the following year.

 Gardeners should remove plants (except perennials) and vegetables. They have to dismantle
all arbors (cottages), structures and guardians. Fencing installed to protect marmots can
be left in place with the agreement of the Committee.
 The water service closes as soon as the first frost on the ground is reported.
 After 1 November, the waste collection service is interrupted.

7. NON-COMPLIANCE

7.1 WARNINGS AND EXPULSIONS

7.1.1 First warning:

The first warning is issued by the committee or by the horticultural facilitator (in person, by telephone or by email). It can also be done as a visual (pictogram in the garden). When giving oral advice, it is suggested that a witness be accompanied. The gardener has 7 days after the first warning to remedy the situation.

7.1.2 Second warning:

The second warning is written, signed and sent by a representative of the District. A period of 14 days from the date of the letter is sent to remedy the problem mentioned.

7.1.3 Notice of expulsion:

A gardener who has not complied with previous notices will receive an eviction letter. The evicted gardener must hand in their membership card, the key to the garden and cannot show up at the garden.
They will have to wait three years before they can reapply for a community garden.

7.1.4 Appeal Procedure:

The evicted gardener may lodge an appeal in writing within 10 working days of the date of dispatch (postage stamp) of the notice of eviction. After this period, any application will be rejected.
They must state the reasons why the Borough must reconsider their decision and provide evidence. This written request must be submitted to the Accès Montréal (BAM) office, located at 815 Bel-Air Street. The deportation is upheld during the appeal. If necessary, a committee is formed to evaluate the file. The garden committee will also be contacted to better understand the situation.

8 VOLUNTEERS

The operation of the garden is ensured by the volunteer work of the members of the committee. Gardeners are invited to offer their help in order to contribute to the smooth running of gardening activities. Those who wish to participate in the work of the Committee must express their interest to the Committee. They can also make their request to the manager of the District’s community gardens program.