Thought I would chime in since on several points we appear to be an
outlier. This is probably driven by the fact our garden is on private
property and does not feature urban amenities such as concrete paths.
We maintain a waiting list and admit people first come, first served.
The only qualifiers are a willingness to work 2 hours a week and one
additional two-hour shift to build compost each year. Last year we
installed a 30x72 foot greenhouse, and we also asked members to assist
in $4,000 in fundraising (a grant covered the rest).
Our turnover is 15% a year, 85% return. Usually it is after the first
year when a person quits, realizing they don't have time to garden at
all. We admit 70 households a year. They tend a one-acre garden (less
paths and some storage).
Our fees are $70 a year and each household cultivates the equivalent
of 283 square feet. Membership fees are "all inclusive" in that they
cover the cost of seeds, transplants, hoses, water, automated
irrigation system, hand tools, trellises, motorized tools and tillers,
row covers, mulch, storage sheds, organic (fish) fertilizer and
organic (Neem) pest control. Some of our members are now gardening
year round in the green house, despite -20 degree nights this past
winter!
I suppose municipalities have to charge more because the demand for
admission is high and they must provide higher-end amenities, but I am
a little shocked at how much is charged for a relatively small plot.
I would suggest that any community gardening group that pays $225 a
plot should purchase seeds and transplants collectively. If members
pay retail costs for seed packets and transplants, then a summer at
the garden is likely to cost more than purchasing the same food from a
fresh market.
Jama Crawford
Shared Harvest Community Garden
Durango CO
_______________________________________________
The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's
services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out
how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org
To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected]
To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription:
http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
