Goldenrod Community Garden – Goldenrod and Parkdale-Bullman sites

2026 Membership Agreement

Updated March 4, 2026

Welcome to the Goldenrod Community Garden (GCG)

It is important for the success of our community garden that all GCG members and their guests clearly understand and comply with the following rules and the GCG Bylaws available on our website: www.goldenrodgarden.org. The garden consists of two sites:  Goldenrod and Parkdale-Bullman. Both gardens fall under the governance of GCG, therefore its bylaws and general directives apply, as indicated in this document. All references to Goldenrod Community Garden in this document should be taken to refer to both garden sites.

This is the Membership Agreement for the 2026 season, which runs from Spring 2026 to Spring 2027.  Plot holders at both garden sites and Friends of the Goldenrod Community Garden must read and indicate agreement.  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Goldenrod Community Garden aims to provide a safe, community-building, and family-friendly space to grow gardens. Please keep in mind that these rules are not all-encompassing and try to ensure that your behaviour allows for the safe enjoyment of the space by all members. 

1. Supporting the garden

1. I understand that Goldenrod Community Garden is volunteer run and I will make every effort to volunteer a minimum of 4 hours a year to support the garden through various committee activities such as work parties, garden repairs, communications or event organization.

2. Maintaining communication channels:

1. I will inform the GCG of any changes in my contact information and keep up to date with GCG communications.
2. I will make every effort to attend the Fall Annual General Meeting.  Members who are unable to attend the Annual General Meeting are encouraged to review the minutes.

3. I will work cooperatively with other members, respect others' rights and feelings, and ensure I have read and understood the terms of the Membership Agreement.  

1. Any intimidating, threatening, or abusive behaviour toward another member of the Goldenrod Community Garden is strictly prohibited and may result in loss of privileges.
2. Conflicts with other members should be resolved through discussion of the concern. If this approach does not resolve the issue, it may be escalated to the Board in writing for further investigation, and action if required (see GCG Bylaws).

4. Rights and Responsibilities of Plot-holders:

1. I understand that to maintain the right to renew my plot each year, I must submit my registration by the appropriate deadline, pay my fees and continue to use and maintain my garden plot.  
2. Notification of the registration period will be sent to all plot-holders using the email address provided by them to the garden.  Where plot-holders fail to respond and register their plot by the deadline, plots may be reassigned to another gardener.  
3. Where a waiting list exists, plots are limited to one per household (persons living at the same address).
4. All plots must be planted by June 21 each year.  For plot-holders who sign up after June 1, this date will be extended to 3 weeks after the date of sign up.  Failure to plant may result in forfeiture of fees and reassignment of the plot to another gardener.
5. Excessive weed growth where weeds are going to seed or spreading to adjacent plots or other signs of plot abandonment may result in forfeiture of the plot at any time during the year.  Failure to clean up the plot at the end of the year may result in loss of the right to renew the following year.
6. In all cases where a plot-holder is at risk of losing their plot, GCG representatives will attempt to contact the plot-holder twice using the email or other means of communication provided by them at registration, to provide a warning and discuss any extenuating circumstances prior to plot forfeiture. If no response is received within 2 weeks, the plot will be considered forfeited and may be assigned to another gardener.  

5. I will ensure that my gardening activities do not interfere with the right of other members to use and enjoy the garden and understand that it is important to keep the plots and wider site tidy and well-maintained. Good housekeeping will demonstrate that the GCG is a valued and important part of the community.

1. Plots must be kept in a tidy condition, ensuring that plants do not spread into neighbouring plots or into pathways and other communal areas, including causing excessive shade to other plots.  Excessive growth that impedes passage of the maintenance crew may be trimmed so that it no longer obstructs passage.
2. No member should weed, water, plant or harvest produce from a plot that is not assigned to them without the express permission of the plot-holder.
3. Garden guidelines must be followed for composting organic material in the GCG compost bins.  All diseased plant material and other waste must be taken home and disposed of appropriately. 
4. Any sticks, trellises or netting installed on the plot must be safe, with no protruding edges that could cause injury to other gardeners, and must be easy to remove at the end of the season.
5. Plots must be left in a safe and tidy condition in the fall with all dead and dying plant material removed and all sticks, trellises, netting, etc removed or laid flat and secured.  Failure to do this may result in loss of the right to renew the plot the following year.
6. Dogs are not permitted at the Parkdale-Bullman garden site.
7. Dogs on leashes are allowed at the Goldenrod garden site.

6. I will ensure that my gardening activities do not cause injury to wildlife.  

1. Bird netting made of flexible garden netting mesh (e.g., rope or string, flexible plastic) is not permissible, as it poses an entanglement risk to birds and mammals. Sturdier garden netting mesh (made of stronger plastic or metal mesh) is permissible. To reduce risk of entanglement, the garden netting mesh should be taut.

7. Garden Equipment:   

1. I will put away tools and watering cans where they belong after I am finished and ensure that the shed is closed and locked before I leave the garden.
2. I understand that all GCG equipment must remain on site and that I must not leave any personal items in communal areas.

8. Water usage: I understand that:

1. Water supply is limited and expensive. I must use water sparingly and use water for garden plots and the pollinator gardens only.  
2. Lids to all water containers at Goldenrod must be kept on.
3. All watering equipment must be put away before I leave the Garden site and I must make sure the water is turned off.

9. I understand that GCG is a fully organic community garden and I commit to gardening exclusively with organic methods, as required by the Ottawa Community Garden Network.  For information on the list of permitted organic substances, please visit this CFIA link.  

I acknowledge that once this agreement is signed (electronic acknowledgement through the electronic form is acceptable) and I have been accepted as a member for the 2026 growing season, if I do not follow the rules and conditions outlined above, the Board of Directors has the right to cancel my membership and my current and future use of the Garden. An appeal process is outlined in the Goldenrod Community Garden Bylaws.  

All gardeners are welcome to sign up for the Just Food and/or Community Gardening Network newsletters. You can sign up at: https://justfood.nationbuilder.com/newsletter_signup 

If anyone experiences any challenges or conflict, and the Garden’s resolution process has not resolved the issue, there is an option to contact communitygardening@justfood.ca for support.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

This agreement is between the “Goldenrod Community Garden” (the GCG) and

Applicant name (Print): _________________________________ Telephone #: _____________________

e-mail: __________________________

(It is not necessary to print out and sign this agreement if you signed up through the electronic registration form and accepted the membership agreement that way)