Plot Fees & Regulations

Garden by the Sea – Personal Garden Rental Agreement
Rules and Regulations

Growing Season-Rental Agreement Rules and Regulations

1. Gardeners may begin working in their assigned plots on opening day, weather permitting, or as otherwise arranged with GBTS. The rental fee is $25 or $30 per garden bed depending on size.  Plots must be cleared from all plants and weeds by season end November 1, 2024 or be charged a cleanup fee of $25.00 ($15 for 4×4’ plots, $30 for 4×10’ plots). The refundable cleanup fee will be collected along with your rental fee when you sign-up. For individuals requesting winter gardening, plots must be weeded and cleared of summer crop material by the November 1^st deadline.
2. GBTS is an organic gardening program. Use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers is strictly forbidden without prior approval from GBTS. Use of raw human or animal waste is not allowed due to health concerns.
3. If a gardener or volunteer has problems or concerns within the community garden, their plot, common area, or another gardener or volunteer, the issue must first be directed to a member of the GBTS Board for resolution either by phone, email or in person.
4. Gardeners are responsible for weeding inside their beds (and around the outside edges of the beds), planting, watering, litter pick-up, and at the end of the season, clean-up of their plots and assigned areas. Vegetable and flower waste should be chopped before placing in compost bin. Weeds & litter must be taken home for disposal…please do not leave in the garden for others to pick up. 
5. When composting plant material you must follow the composting guidelines listed.  It is always best to chop, turn and dampen the pile, but not soak. Refer to the composting handout or the posted sign in the garden.
6. The garden is to be used for recreational gardening; that is growing vegetables and flowers for personal, family or group use. However, excess produce and flowers may be harvested by our local food bank volunteers with your verbal, written or email permission prior to harvest days.
7. Gardening for commercial purposes (for profit) is not allowed.
8. Gardeners must be considerate of neighboring plots. Plants, vines and vegetation must be contained within the boundaries of one’s garden plot. Harvest only from your assigned plot.  Weeding around the outside of your garden and pathway must be done in order to keep slugs and other pests away. Any additional pots, structures, or other items kept outside the plot must have the approval of the GBTS board president.
9. To prevent the blocking of sunlight to neighboring plots, no solid structure taller than 2 feet is permitted without prior approval from GBTS. A trellis is acceptable.
10. No illegal plants may be grown, including any plants listed by the Washington State Weed Control Board as noxious weeds. See their web page at:  www.nwcb.wa.gov/printable-noxious-weed-list. Mint and other invasive plants are strongly discouraged.
11. Water spigots will be supplied by GBTS for the entire community garden to utilize.  Hoses must be coiled up after use.  Watering cans are also available.  Please make sure water is turned off when you are finished or follow posted guidelines whenever watering timers are installed.  Please report any water leaks to Karen Young at 425-255-4025 (phone or text), or to another GBTS board member.
12. Garden equipment such as shovels, rakes, hand tools, gloves, wheelbarrows or composting tools must be cleaned and returned to the shed or designated area after use.  Please be sure to re-lock the shed and/or greenhouse properly and close all gates upon exiting.
13. If you want someone not listed on the plot application to work your plot or pick your vegetables when you are sick or away, give this person written permission and notify us by email or phone.
14. If you witness garden theft or vandalism, please call “911” or Ocean Shores Police non-emergency at (360) 533-8765. Garden by the Sea is not responsible for the loss of garden products and/or produce. For other garden situations such as water leaks, storm damage, etc. please contact Karen Young at 425-255-4025, or karen@gardenbytheseaoceanshores.org.
15. All signs dealing with GBTS rules and regulations and special notice signs must be approved by the GBTS Board before being posted in the garden.
16. Dogs, cats, and other animals are not allowed in the garden area except for certified service animals on a leash with current tags that are visible.
17. Children under 12 years old in the garden area must be supervised by an adult at all times.
18. No smoking, profanity, yelling, loud music, fires, firearms, or vehicles are allowed in the garden area.
19. Gardeners who have not used and/or properly maintained their plots or met the gardening guidelines, as determined by the GBTS board, will be notified and given 7 days to remedy the situation. If the issue is not resolved within the time period, or a secondary breach of rules occurs, access to the gardener’s plot will be forfeited. No refund will be given. Properly maintaining the plot includes, but is not limit to, regular watering, weeding, and harvesting.
20. Gardeners agree to return their plots to their original condition at the end of the season. Spring plot assignments will be on a first come, first served basis.
21. Each gardener will complete a short orientation after signing up for their garden and will be given a segment of the common areas to weed and water during the growing season and/or asked to volunteer in other ways. Typical volunteer hours needed to maintain the garden averages 4-10 hours per gardener per year. If you are unable to provide volunteer time, a goodwill donation is requested to help us defer our maintenance expenses.

CLICK LINK BELOW TO OPEN & PRINT/DOWNLOAD THE RULES & REGULATIONS ACCEPTANCE FORM, THEN SIGN AND RETURN IT TO GBTS: