Gardner Guidelines

Plot Rental Agreement Runs from January 15, 2025 (or Date of Acceptance) to December 31, 2025

Adapted from the Community Garden Coalition Gardener Guidelines.

1. All gardeners must volunteer a minimum of 7 hours per year to help sustain the garden. Gardeners can volunteer for more than 7 hours. Volunteer hours must be spent in communal areas, not personal garden plots. Garden work day hours recorded by garden manager may count towards this goal. Other hours completed will be recorded individually in the garden.  
2. Each gardener must attend at least one work day. Garden work days are scheduled for the second Saturday of the month, March through October, 8:30am – 11:30am. 
3. Do not attend to another person’s plot without their approval. 
4. Keep your plot neat and weed free. Habitual lack of plot maintenance (more than 2 notices/year) will result in a loss of the plot.  
5. Gardeners must show planting progress by May 1 or contact the Garden Manager with a valid reason.  Failure to do so will result in a warning.  If the situation is not corrected within two weeks of notification, the plot can be reassigned with no refund of the rental fee. 
6. A gardener who has been on the waiting list and assigned a plot after May 1 must show planting progress within 10 days of plot assignment or contact the Garden Manager with a valid reason. 
7. Life is unpredictable, contact the Garden Manager if you are suddenly unable to tend your plot or if you need help. If you plan to discontinue use of your space, please let the garden manager know so that your plot can be assigned to another gardener.  A gardener cannot give their plot to someone else. 
8. Cut weeds and dead plants into smaller pieces before putting them in the compost bins. Diseased plants, or weeds that have started to produce seed are to be taken to the Collection Center across the street and placed in the yard waste bin.  This prevents the spread of weeds or diseases in the compost.  
9. Please arrange to have someone water and pick your produce while on vacation.  If you are going on vacation and want to donate the produce, contact the garden manager. Unpicked ripe produce will be harvested and donated to the food bank if there is evidence that fruit has been left to rot on the plants for an extended period.  
10. Gardeners must comply fully with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding the use of pesticides and chemicals.  The use of Sevin dust is prohibited since it is very harmful to our pollinators. Liquid Sevin may be used if necessary and only in the non-organic section of the garden. 
11. Plant tall plants and vines in places where they will not shade your neighbor’s plot or run into the paths. Planting illegal, poisonous or highly aggressive plants is not allowed. 
12. Permanent structures cannot be built in the plots. Trellises or other support structures must be kept within the plot and removed from the garden at the end of the growing season.  
13. Plots must be clean by November 1st. At the end of the gardening season, all dead plants and non-plant materials (string, wire, wood, metal, plastic, etc.) must be removed and disposed of properly and mulch applied or a cover crop started. If your plot is not cleaned by November 1, you will lose your gardening privileges and plot deposit. Returning gardeners who are growing winter crops may leave their plants in the ground. 
14. To conserve water, do not leave the water on unattended. Please roll up the hose at the faucet area and make sure both the hose and the water wand is not in the path.  All community tools should be returned to the deck boxes or sheds after use.  If you are the last person in the garden, make sure to lock the gate before leaving.  If there is a problem with the lock please call or e-mail the garden manager. 
15. Smoking, vaping and chewing tobacco are not allowed in the garden.  
16. Dogs, other pets, drugs (including alcohol) are not allowed in the garden.
17. Children must be supervised at all times when in the garden.  For the safety of the child and the plants, please do not allow children to run in the garden. 
18. Fencing is constructed to keep out dogs, humans and some wildlife, the Making Pitt Fit Community Garden is not responsible for damage from wildlife or vandalism. 
19. Report theft, vandalism and unusual activities to the garden manager. 
20. Gardeners will provide their own seeds, transplants, fertilizers and pest management materials, and will wear protective clothing and shoes when operating equipment. 
21. Violation of Gardener Guidelines: If any of the guidelines are violated you will be contacted by phone or e-mail and have two weeks to address the violation.  If the violation has not been remedied after two weeks, you will lose your gardening privileges.  More than 2 notices/year will result in a loss of the plot. 

Each gardener agrees to use the plot and community garden tools at their own risk and agrees to hold Pitt County Government harmless from any injury and damage. Gardeners under 18 years of age must be supervised by an adult if using power tools. Proper shoes and safety equipment are required.

Pitt County Government may revoke the rental agreement at any time.

Pitt County Government is not responsible for injury associated with gardening activities, or for items left on the property.

The purpose of this agreement is to provide garden plots for rental by Pitt County residents.

4’ by 20’ Garden Plot (80 sq. ft.) Annual Rental Fee = $15.00 
*An initial $25.00 clean-up fee will be collected once from new gardeners

Once your application is accepted, exact cash or check payable to: Pitt County Government may be dropped off at the above address.

Questions? 
Email The Community Garden Now
or Call 252-902-1752