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Community Gardens Rules & Etiquette

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1. What are the gardening courtesy and communication guidelines?

One of the main goals in community gardening is to work together, or next to each other, in relative harmony. Please be courteous in all interactions, and work to resolve any disagreements.

For guideline clarifications, or plot delineation, contact the Community Garden Program by calling (503) 526-2665. Community garden staff and/or garden managers will check plots regularly to encourage productive use by participants.

2. What is the definition of a working garden?

A garden plot must be maintained, planted, or mulched, and stay within its boundaries. Plots must not be consistently weedy, untended, or filled with debris. During the growing season, gardeners are expected to spend at least two hours per week, on average, tending the plot.

3. When are gardening hours?

Gardening hours are from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. The use of power equipment is restricted to the hours of 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

4. What is appropriate to grow in my garden?

Vegetables, herbs, flowers, and small fruit plants for home consumption and donation are appropriate. No large structures, trees, or large collections of non-plant items are allowed. Crops must be legal, and for personal use or donation.

5. When is the gardening season?

Gardeners are responsible for keeping their plots gardened, cover-cropped, or mulched. For most gardeners, the growing season will be from April or May until August or September. Some gardeners, however, will put in spring crops as early as February, and others may have crops growing late in the fall.

No matter what crops you decide to plant, you are responsible for basic plot maintenance. A weedy plot is subject to a warning and cancellation of the gardener's registration. Perennial crops and some annual hardy winter crops may be over-wintered, but should be maintained.

6. When is water available at the community gardens?

Water in the gardens is turned on by April 1, and shut off by October 31.

7. When should I start spring preparation and planting?

By May 15 your garden should be in the getting-started stage. This deadline exists to motivate our gardeners to show that they are going to use the garden plot, and not waste it. Some garden plots are reserved with the best of intentions, but end up not being planted.

If you haven't started preparations by this date, there is probably someone on the waiting list who would be willing to take over your plot. The minimum requirements of the getting-started stage include:

• Harvesting of crops, if appropriate


• Pathway clean-up


• Weeding, planting, and edging weeds along borders


• Working the soil in preparation for planting

8. What are the deadlines for summer planting and growing?

By June 1 there should be substantial progress toward a productive garden, which includes:

• At least half of the plot has been worked and planted


• Continued pathway maintenance


• Establishing and caring for plants


• Removal of remaining weeds

By June 15 there should be gardening activity and weeding throughout the entire plot.

If these deadlines are not met, your plot will be offered to the next person on the waiting list and your registration fee will be forfeited.

9. When is fall harvest and clean-up, and what should I do with my garden plot?

Annual crops should be harvested, and the remaining plants cleaned up and composted. Garden plots should be cover-cropped and/or mulched (around perennial plants) by October 31.

10. Is there garbage service at the community gardens?

There is no garbage service available at the gardens. Please keep trash and litter cleared from your plot, and take it home for disposal.

11. What do I do with my garden debris?

Garden debris roll-carts will be available for your use from mid-spring until harvest time in the fall. Please only use these carts for garden- / yard-debris waste (no garbage or plastic) and for materials from the community gardens, not from your home. During most of the season there will be a few carts to cover basic needs, with a greater number of carts in the spring and fall for preparation and clean-up.

12. Are dogs allowed in the community gardens?

Yes. Dogs should be leashed, and are not allowed to run through the garden or go into other garden plots. Please be mindful that your pet is not crushing other gardeners' plants or urinating on their produce.

13. Is my garden plot fee refundable?

No. The garden registration fee you pay only partially covers the costs of operating Beaverton's Community Garden Program. If you give up your garden plot after you have registered, or if you fail to maintain your plot and it is transferred to another gardener, your plot fee will not be refunded.

14. Who is responsible for the garden pathways?

The City does not mow or provide regular upkeep to the pathways, or other common areas at the community gardens. Rather, each gardener is responsible for keeping the surrounding pathways weeded and well-tended. Your garden space may stop at the edge of your plot, but your responsibility includes the pathways surrounding your garden.

Everything you plant must remain within the perimeters of the designated plots, allowing adequate space for growth and keeping pathways clear. Allow for access within your own plot.

15. How is vegetable theft handled?

Any gardener reported for taking vegetables, flowers, or supplies from another’s plot may have their garden privileges revoked. Gardeners are encouraged to harvest crops regularly to reduce the temptation of theft by others.

16. Can I use herbicides and/or weed killers in the garden?

The use of herbicides and/or weed killers is prohibited. The use of chemicals or propellants banned by the federal, state, or local government, shall be grounds for forfeiture of the privilege to use the community garden.

Gardeners are encouraged to use natural gardening techniques. Free brochures are available with suggestions for natural gardening techniques, contact the Community Garden Program by calling (503) 526-2665.

17. Are children allowed in the community gardens?

Children are encouraged to garden with their parents, but they must stay on the paths of their assigned garden without going through the plots of other gardeners.

18. Who is responsible for getting rid of rodents and wild animals in the garden? What can I do to keep them out?

Because rodents and other wild animals may be prevalent in the undeveloped area surrounding the various garden sites, it will be the responsibility of the individual gardener to control these pests within their own garden space. Non-permanent fencing is allowed. Temporary fences may not cross garden pathways.

19. Can I compost at the community gardens?

On-site composting is encouraged, but must be limited to compostable materials produced at the community garden site or your personal residence. Composting materials from businesses is not allowed.

20. Can I use newspaper in my community garden plot?

Newspaper is not allowed as a mulching agent / weed barrier. Although this may be an acceptable practice in home-gardens, the City has received many complaints from other gardeners, and from area residents, about newspapers blowing around the area because they were not adequately covered up and maintained.

21. I can not take care of my garden plot, what do I do?

Plots are not transferable without the permission of the City of Beaverton. Gardeners are responsible for keeping addresses and phone numbers current with the office. If, for any reason, you need to relinquish your space, contact the Community Gardens Program at (503) 526-2665.