The url for the reducing garden theft handout ran over two lines, so the hyperlink didn’t work. Here is the full link and the text is copied below: http://vcgn.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Minimizing-CG-Produce-Pilfering-2009.pdf
And a few more tips, not listed in the handout. · Make friendly signage explaining that the garden produce is for gardeners with info on how people can get their own plots. Here is an example: “These gardens help feed our families. Feel free to admire, but please do not pick from our private plots. To rent your own garden plot, contact…” · Also, adding small signs with the gardeners’ first names helps personalize the plots. This can remind potential thieves that there is a real person or family relying on the space. It’s also a nice way to connect gardeners to each other. Combine a sign-making party with a spring orientation potluck at the garden and turn it into a fun get-to-know-each-other activity. The Reducing and preventing produce loss in community gardens Workshop presentation, March 21, 2009, Jim Flint Vermont Community Garden Network During recent years, gardeners at community garden sites in Burlington have noticed an increase in the amount of produce taken from their plots, especially during August and September. This trend is driven by escalating costs for food and basic necessities, coupled with an awareness of the value of vegetables. Listed below are suggested techniques that community gardeners can use to reduce produce theft: · At the beginning of the gardening season, place sturdy twine across the open side(s) of your plot. This creates an identity for your plot and acts as a psychological barrier. Light fencing can also be used around your plot for added security and to deter ravenous woodchucks. · When laying out your garden, plant a row of zinnias, marigolds, or other easy to grow flowers around the border of your plot, especially the pathway or lawn edges. Avoid using sunflowers as these can shade your garden or a neighboring plot. Non hybrid flowers in a garden have the added benefit of attracting pollinators and beneficial insects. · To promote community and good will, get to know your fellow community gardeners and greet visitors to the community garden courteously. Visit your garden plot regularly throughout the season and keep it well maintained and as weed free as possible. Theft of produce is less likely to occur when gardeners are visibly present, especially on weekday afternoons during harvest season. · Harvest tomatoes and peppers before they fully turn color. Red or yellow peppers are often the first crop to disappear as they are easy to pick and slip into a bag or pocket. Avoid planting peppers or eggplants together in large blocks which can draw attention to your garden. · Pumpkins, larger winter squash, and watermelons are some of the higher risk vegetables in terms of theft. If you grow these crops, plant them in the corner of your plot that is farthest from the path, and be sure to harvest them when ripe. A camouflage technique can also be used by pulling vines over the top of the ripening vegetables. · Avoid leaving surplus produce (such as large zucchinis) at the garden for others to take; this can invite vandalism. As an alternative, share vegetables with neighbors and donate surplus produce to the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf. · If you go away on vacation during the gardening season, let your neighboring gardeners know who will take care of and harvest from your plot. Orient your garden caretakers to the garden site and to your plot to make sure they are harvesting the vegetables you intend for them to pick. · If theft of produce does occur, email a volunteer site coordinator with a brief note on what was taken, approximately when the produce was taken, and the location of your plot. This will help coordinators to plan for additional preventative measures if needed. · While community gardens offer a safe and healthy form of recreation, please help your garden site and your possessions to be more secure by locking your car in the parking lot. From: Robyn Harvey [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, March 02, 2015 10:05 AM To: [email protected]; 'Diana Johnson'; [email protected] Subject: Re: [Community_garden] garden Theft Sorry Jess, Your link did not work. This is a very interesting topic. Could you try again? Maybe just send it as a pasted text message or as a attachment? It would be really lovely to hear what you have to say on this topic. ~ robyn communitygardenslondon On Monday, March 2, 2015 9:32 AM, Jessica Hyman <[email protected]> wrote: Hi Diana, Here are some useful tips developed in Burlington, Vt. http://vcgn.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Minimizing-CG-Produce-Pilfering-2 009.pdf Jess -- Jessica Hyman, Executive Director Vermont Community Garden Network 12 North Street #5 | Burlington, Vermont 05401 Office: 802-861-4769 | Cell: 802-598-3139 www.vcgn.org Facebook/Twitter: VTGardenNetwork -----Original Message----- From: Community_garden [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Diana Johnson Sent: Friday, February 27, 2015 3:05 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Community_garden] (no subject) Good Morning, I manage a small community garden in Campbell California. We have approximately 49 plots in our garden. For the most part, everyone does pretty well and are actively gardening; however, from time to time I will receive reports of items getting stolen from the plots. Items such as vegetables, plants, garden decorations, etc. I have sent out reminders that theft is immediate grounds for termination of their garden memberships and we are considering the installation of cameras. Have any of you experienced this in the past? Or do you have any suggestions of what else I can do to discourage this type of behavior? Diana Johnson | Executive Assistant City of Campbell | Public Works Maint.Div. * 70. N. First Street | Campbell, CA 95008 ( 408.866.2749 | 7 408.370-3304 : [email protected] City Home <http://www.cityofcampbell.com/> | Public Works Maintenance <http://www.cityofcampbell.com/207/Maintenance.htm> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org <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 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://list.communitygarden.org/pipermail/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org/attachments/20150302/13e2232c/attachment.html> _______________________________________________ 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
