Sanford Community Garden Sign-up Form & SPECIAL COVID-19 RULES

Posted on February 11, 2020 by mousamwaylandtrusts

SPECIAL COVID-19 HEALTH & SAFETY RULES

Sanford Community Garden will open this season on April 22, Earth Day. Please read the following interim rules regarding COVID-19 safety. As things progress, the following restrictions will be revisited and modified to ensure health and safety. These are unprecedented conditions and will eventually ease.

Interim Rules

The Tool Shed, Restroom, and Wash Station will be closed to public use. Water will be off. CHANGE: The Water will be turned on.
Gardeners will be required to use their own tools, kneeling pads, baskets/containers, and anything else used at the Garden. Removal of these items are required when not in use. If items are found unattended, they will be removed and destroyed. CHANGE: They will be sequestered for 1 week.
Use of the 30’ to 50’ long water hoses has been determined to be an unacceptable risk of virus exposure. Wiping them with proper cleansers is not practicable and costly. We are considering modifying one hose faucet so as to be relatively easily disinfected, but personal watering cans and buckets will need to be supplied by individual gardeners, and removed when not in use. CHANGE: Hoses will be available and water turned on. There’s an adapter on the center hose to allow the filling of watering buckets.

Please note that the above rules supersede the usual rules; other portions of the usual rules are still in effect. As we all have learned, it is imperative that we all remain at the advised 6 foot minimum distance from each other. The best and only current COVID-19 vaccine is “ Social Distancing”.

Thank You all for understanding these conditions.

Happy & SAFE Gardening!

Sanford Community Garden Hosted by Sanford/Springvale Mousam Way Land Trust; Managed by University of Maine Extension Service’s York County Master Gardener Volunteers

After an absence of several years, Sanford has a community garden where folks can grow their own organic vegetables, flowers, and herbs. The Sanford Community Garden is located at the Pence Community Ecology Center in the McKeon Environmental Reserve on Blanchard Road in Springvale. Last May, the garden was created by applicants, Master Gardener Volunteers, Land Trust members, and others. Access road and parking lot improvements, and a tool shed followed.

Garden Philosophy

The tool shed will serve as a communications center. Notices will be posted, along with the garden guidelines, and lists of approved organic soil amendments, pesticides, and herbicides. Master Gardener Volunteer contact for help with any problems and questions you may have, and a message board will also be there.

You’ll be encouraged to use the square foot gardening procedure developed by Mel Bartholomew as a means of getting the most out of a limited space, but you can use whatever layout you want. By the same token, certain species and varieties will be recommended based on experience. Again, you may choose your own. In any case, the point you should keep in mind is that the size of the bed places a limit on how many types of plants you can grow.

The Garden

Each selected applicant will have a four-foot by twelve-foot, 10 inch high raised bed filled with blended topsoil amended with compost. Two plots will be reserved for home school students and their families. Three other plots are for local food pantry donations and Community Gardeners are asked to help with tending these.

Selected applicants will be assigned plots on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be expected to volunteer at least three hours of caring for the food pantry plot during the growing season; this is a requirement for having a plot in the garden another year.

Gardening tools, water, and a first aid kit will be available for gardeners to use. Master Gardeners will provide advice and help, if needed. They will also oversee the garden beds and the food pantry plot. An ADA-accessible outdoor restroom is on site.

Applicants, Master Gardeners, and land trust members plan to gather prior to the growing season to go over guidelines, review some of the techniques of square-foot gardening, and answer any questions folks might have about the garden or gardening. This meeting will be announced in March.

General Policies

The following are not allowed: Smoking, alcohol, pets, subletting plots, non-organic control materials, unattended children, fresh manure, cannabis, illegal or invasive plants.
Place disease-free plants, parts, and weeds in the compost pile provided.
When leaving the garden, return any tools you used to the tool shed, lock it, and make sure the water spigot is turned off.
Consider neighboring plots when planting vine or tall-growing plants such as cucumbers, squash, corn or sunflowers; use dwarf-type varieties and plant tall or trellised crops down the center of the bed.
Plots should be fully planted by June 8, and be properly cared for during the whole season; ask for help if you need it!

Using a plot at the Sanford Community Garden is a privilege; the Advisory Committee reserves the right to revoke the privilege of any gardener at any time for any reason it deems appropriate. To be considered for a raised bed, complete and submit the “Application For Community Garden Plot”. Also, copy and print the Waiver and Contract. After reading, understanding, and signing it, send it via email. You can alternatively send it via Post Office mail to: Kev & Patty McKeon, 246 Blanchard Rd., Springvale, Me. 04083.

General Contact and Master Gardener Volunteer help/advice:

Kev: 207-206-5934; Patty: 207-206-5933; kpm@metrocast.net

Facebook Community Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1192392210830993/

Application For Community Garden Plot

SANFORD SPRINGVALE MOUSAM WAY LAND TRUST Waiver and Contract

Sanford Community Garden:

I agree to waive, release and hold harmless the Sanford Springvale Mousam Way Land Trust, York County Cooperative Extension, and Master Gardeners from any and all damages, claims, suits or injuries. By using the Sanford Community Garden located at Blanchard Road in Springvale, I assume responsibility for all risks, damages to self or personal property and hazards, including any third parties or children I may bring onto said property, for the purpose of gardening or otherwise. Insurance coverage is my own responsibility. I agree to act in a safe, sensible and responsible manner and will use respect with property and other people while at the garden. I also understand and agree to follow the general policies of the garden.

Photographic Release:

I agree on my behalf and my minor children to be photographed while in the garden area and grant permission to use the photograph/s for publication, promotion or news purposes and waive any rights I/we or they may have to compensation for or ownership of the photograph/s.

Signing below signifies that I have read, understand and agree to these waivers and policies.

Signature_______________________________________ Date_________________________________