Maple Community Garden

The success of Maple Community Garden relies on each member taking care of not only their plot and Section, but the common areas of the garden at our regular Work Parties, as well as participating at the AGMs, on committees and the Executive.  Listed below are some of the ways members are expected to contribute so that our garden continues to thrive.

There are usually 12 Work Parties scheduled between March and October each year.  Please attend as many as you can, there is always lots to do over the growing season. Members are encouraged to work in different areas and with someone new at each Work Party : )

The Annual Contract and Conditions specify that each member must attend a minimum of 4 Work Parties each year (minimum of 8 hours total).

Membership in the first year is granted on a trial basis. Every member’s Annual Contract is conditional upon meeting requirements for attendance at Work Parties, General Meetings, and properly caring for their own plot and Section during the previous year.

Members can expect to spend an average 2-3 hours each week caring for their individual garden plot, but the focus of Work Parties is on the assigned tasks in the common areas of the garden only, unless other specific  tasks are assigned by the Executive or Work Party Leads.

• Bee Garden (between Sections 1 / 2)
• Communal Composters (Sections 4 / 5)
• Permanent Soup Kitchen plots (Sections 3 / 4)
• East Common at corner of Cypress Street (Section D)
• 6^th Avenue strip of garden beds and grass outside the Sections and Common areas [Maple/Cypress]

To assist you in meeting these expectations, invite an active associate to support you to meet your MCG obligations, e.g. work parties, AGM.

A reminder that there is only one Primary member per plot, and they can designate one Associate member on their Annual Contract, but only one Work Party credit is issued per plot at each Work Party.  If both the Primary and Associate members attend the same work party, only one work party credit is given. To keep things simple for recording, please just have one person per plot on the Sign In sheet – not both of you.

IMPORTANT:  If you do not sign in, you will not receive credit for the Work Party.

Every Work Party

• Bring your own tools: you are required to have your own grass clippers, pruning shears and a trowel/small digging tool. Please label your tools to prevent loss.
• Wear shoes/boots for safety: and clothes for playing in the dirt.
• Come 10 minutes early: to meet and greet other members, sign the Sign-In sheet and be ready for the brief meeting and assignment of WP tasks so work can start promptly. As a courtesy to each other, please be on time so delays and repetition of meeting information can be avoided. Latecomers will not receive a WP credit.
• Advise Work Party Lead of any limitations: if you have injuries (e.g. unable to kneel to clip grass/weed that day), please inform the Work Party Lead so they can help find you appropriate tasks, and also bring any adaptive equipment or a helper so you can participate.
• Help with cleanup:
  • clean and put tools way
  • sweep sidewalks
  • take away any weeds or diseased plant materials that need to go to a dumpster
  • put green waste in green bins at the curb of Maple/West 6th. Please note that the city no longer picks up green waste paper bags or bundled green waste left curbside. If the bins are full, green waste should be taken home and placed in residential compost bins.
• Check the area for any forgotten hand tools/gloves, place in tool triangle

Reminders

• Please always check first with your Section Lead for guidance and information, and to address any concerns you may have. Leads in our Garden are enthusiastic, experienced and have a great network to support you!

• For gardening tips galore, Work Party Leads and other gardeners are always happy to share : ) 

• The MCG website has valuable information about beneficial and invasive plants, member discounts, work party dates, composting, seasonal gardening hints and links to other resources – take a few minutes to explore the site!

• Use info@maplecommunitygarden.ca for all garden correspondence and to contact the Executive.

• From Tiarne Kent’s portfolio [Graphic Designer  Sydney, Australia]