Martha, I applaud the property owner that requires that you develop and adhere to "Best Practices" in the management of land that has been entrusted to your organization for a community garden. "Best Practices" simply put means that you will maximize the intended use of the land while minimizing the impact of your use on the surrounding environment. Sometimes the maximum use of a land area is a passive preservation area that is intended to showcase native plants and provide wildlife habitat. Other land areas may be intensely gardened or farmed to efficiently feed many people. Even increased density housing with clustered retail and services may be a "Best Practice" for land use when it clusters people to minimize their impact on their surroundings by freeing nearby land to be used for wildlife habitat, gardens and farms. "Best Practices" for the gardened and farmed areas dictate that you water efficiently, use minimal pesticides, add fertilizer only when needed, and carefully control any water run-off. Even "organic" pesticides can destroy beneficial insects and harm animals. "Organic" fertilizers sometimes break- down very rapidly and the components inadvertently affect water quality through run-off. Your city, county, or state Department of Natural Resources or Department of Environmental Protection and your local Cooperative Extension Service may have suggested "Best Practices" that you can adapt to your situation. You may have to search a bit to find the information but it exists and is usually in a reasonably easy to interpret format. Barbara Powell Harris Master Gardener Volunteer Community Garden Coordinator Rosemary Community Garden/Orange Blossom Community Garden PO Box 3906 Sarasota, FL 34230-3906
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