2026 Estes Valley Community Garden (EVCG) Rules and Policies

 

These rules and policies are established for the benefit of all Community Gardeners to help make gardening and enjoyable and satisfying experience.

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RETURNING GARDENERS:

Gardeners who wish to return cannot be guaranteed their plot from the previous year unless application and fees are received by February 28. Applications for New Gardeners are opened to the public on March 1, so all Returning Gardeners are encouraged to complete a new application and submit the appropriate fees by February 28.

 

NEW GARDENERS:

Applications for New Gardeners are accepted any time; however, plot assignment for New plots does not begin until March 1 and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Should the Garden be full, applicants will be placed on a wait list and plots will be awarded from the wait list in the order in which they were received.

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Garden Plot Application Procedures for ALL Gardeners:

1. Plots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. To apply, complete one of the following:

   • Complete the application form and pay online (www.evcg.org/get-a-plot)

   • Print and complete the form (available online at www.evcg.org/get-a-plot) and mail with check for applicable fees to: EVCG, PO Box 4158, Estes Park, CO 80517

   • If you wish to have an application mailed to you, please email a request to evcg@evcg.org.

3. The fee for the 2026 growing season is $80.

4. Any number of adults (18 and over) may share one garden plot. All names must be listed on the signed 2026 License Contract.

5. The application/fee process applies to all Gardeners, Board members, donors, sponsors, etc.

6. There are an allocated number of dedicated plots reserved for community groups, such as Crossroads’ Food Pantry, Girl Scouts, etc. on a first-come, first-served basis.

7. Tall garden plots are reserved for seniors (65 or up) and those with special needs.

8. Special arrangements can be made to speak to an EVCG representative and/or meet an EVCG representative at the Community Garden to answer any questions applicants may have.

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Garden Policies and Etiquette:

1. All new Gardeners must attend Orientation. Returning Gardeners are encouraged to attend. Dates and times will be announced via the EVCG Website Calendar page (www.evcg.org/calendar), emails, and/or Facebook (www.facebook.com/EstesValleyCommunityGarden).

2. Gardeners are responsible for planning, planting (seeds and/or plants), supplemental watering, and weeding their own garden plots.

3. TRASH AND WASTE: Remove grass, weeds, trash, and similar unwanted and/or unsightly items from the immediate area around your assigned plot. Place organic items (weeds, plant cuttings, etc) into bags provided in the workshed. Please remove any trash from the Garden, as trash receptacles are not provided.

4. STEALING: NEVER REMOVE OR TAKE ANYTHING FROM ANOTHER GARDENER’S PLOT WITHOUT THEIR EXPRESS CONSENT. STEALING IS NOT TOLERATED and will be grounds for immediate License termination.

5. VOLUNTEERING:

   • Gardeners are asked to volunteer a minimum of 2 hours per growing season.

   • The EVCG is a non-profit organization that relies on multiple funding resources beyond the rental plot fees. These funding resources include grants in which the number of volunteer hours worked each year is a key component to successfully obtaining grants. Please log your volunteer hours in the “Volunteer Log” notebook located inside the shed each time volunteer work is performed.

   • Opportunities and committees will be announced on the white board at the shed and through periodic emails. Please record your volunteer activity in the “Volunteer Log” notebook located inside the shed each and every time volunteer work is performed.

   • Volunteer opportunities include general clean-up, mowing or weed-whacking, rodent control, maintenance or construction projects, watering, delivering produce to Crossroads, checking the quality of overnight watering, etc. If you have an idea or suggestion for a volunteer opportunity or would like to join a committee, please email evcg@evcg.org.

6. Gardeners are encouraged to supply their own tools. Some tools are owned by the Garden and stored in the shed. Please clean and return them to the shed after use.

7. Gardeners who want to cover crops to extend the growing season are responsible for materials and maintenance.

8. Hail cloth, plastics, and other items that could be loosened by the wind are NOT permitted between October 31 and April 1.

9. Parking is available in two lots close to the Garden gate entrances. The East entrance is located by the tennis courts. The west entrance is located off Community Drive. DO NOT PARK ANYWHERE ON MANFORD AVENUE.

10. Both entrances are locked with COMBINATION locks. Gardeners will receive the combinations after signed applications and license fees have been received and garden plots have been assigned. PLEASE DO NOT SHARE THE COMBINATION WITH ANYONE.

11. Be respectful and kind to your fellow Gardeners. If concerns arise, please email evcg@evcg.org.

12. Make sure you are gardening in and harvesting from your own plot. Do not take from plots that are not your own.

13. Gardeners of all ages are encouraged to visit the Garden. Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

14. To reduce unwanted ground pests and allow ease of mowing, remove weeds and keep unwanted outside vegetation in a perimeter of 1 foot around your garden plot and keep hail cloth off of the ground.

15. Garden Policies govern Gardeners and visitors using EVCG facilities or services. Gardeners must ensure their visitors comply with these policies.

16. Gardeners should have no physical or medical condition that affects their capability to safely participate in EVCG activities and is not participating contrary medical advice.

17. The Garden is a non-smoking area.

18. Service dogs are welcome. NO PETS are allowed inside the fenced garden plots.

19. Use headphones if you are gardening with music.

20. Be mindful of the shade impact of taller crops (such as sunflowers) on neighboring Garden plots. Trees of any kind are not permitted to be planted in Garden plots.

21. Gardeners to be aware that they are not guaranteed to receive the same plot in following years, therefore Gardeners should exercise discretion when deciding whether to plant perennials (rhubarb, currants, raspberries, etc). Gardeners are responsible for removing these plants, should they be assigned to a different plot.

22. Marijuana may not be grown in the Garden.

23. Be mindful of any set rodent traps. Keep children (and your own fingers) safe.

24. For the safety and enjoyment of everyone, the Garden is CHEMICAL-FREE.

25. Use only organic products for fertilizer and pest control. Organic seeds or plant starters are optional (not mandatory) due to availability and cost concerns. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides are prohibited. Use Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) approved products. Mulching between planted areas is encouraged.

26. Fresh manure or aged manure from stables is NOT allowed in Garden plots. Commercially processed compost is allowed.

27. Weeds should be pulled by hand and covered with organic mulch. Copies of an Estes Valley noxious weed identification booklet are available in the shed.

28. Water Systems and Usage:

• Notify the Operations Team as soon as possible if you notice leaks or damage to any part of the water system by calling call one of the emergency numbers posted in the shed. As a last resort, email us at evcg@evcg.org.

• DO NOT CHANGE OR ALTER THE DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM

• Hoses and nozzles are provided for Gardener use. Use them as sparingly as possible, but do use them to ensure your plot’s success, as water in the Garden is expensive.

• Please do not let your children play in the water!

• Be mindful to not drag hoses through other plots or spray onto adjacent plots.

• When finished with the hoses, roll it up onto the provided frame and make sure the water is TURNED OFF.

• The water system will be turned off in the fall as determined by weather conditions by the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District (EVPRD). Gardeners will be notified when the water is turned off.