All renters agree to pay a plot rental fee and a rental deposit associated with the plot or plots to which they are assigned. If a plot is not maintained in an appropriate manner throughout the year or if a renter quits gardening without clearing the plot, the CGAU will retain that renter’s deposit to cover the cost of cleaning up the plot. Please see the “What are gardener expectations?” drop-down menu for more information.

A gardener who has not rented a plot in the prior gardening season is limited to renting a 15' x 15' plot. Gardeners will be permitted to rent a larger plot or more than one 15' x 15' plot in the subsequent year if they remain in good standing at the Community Garden.

Rental deposits are charged to renters to safeguard against the following situations:

• The plot is not maintained in an appropriate manner throughout the year.
• The renter quits gardening without clearing the plot.

In these cases, AUCG will retain the renter’s deposit to cover the labor costs of clearing the plot.

Rental deposits are charged only once per renter per plot. If you renew your plot rental for the following year, you will not be charged an additional deposit for the same plot. If you remain in good standing throughout the year, you are eligible to receive your deposit back when you terminate your contract. Upon termination of a rental contract, many renters donate their deposit to the garden to fund general maintenance and garden projects.

All renters agree to maintain their plots in an appropriate manner at all times throughout the contract year. Both the function and aesthetics of the CGAU are important to our community. Weeds cannot be allowed to take over a plot, and pests and diseases must be appropriately controlled. Renters must adhere to the following expectations throughout the year:

• Actively garden, maintain, and control weed growth.
• If a section of a plot is not being actively gardened at any time during the contract period, uncultivated portions should be cleared of vegetation and managed to prevent unwanted growth. Options for controlling weed growth include soil solarization, heavy mulching with organic matter (straw, wood chips, etc.), or planting a suitable cover crop.
• Cover crops that are intentionally planted from seed are permitted. Any other ground cover that is not classified as a cover crop is not permitted.
• Address pest or disease problems as needed. Refer to Alabama Cooperative Extension System publications for crop information and problem-solving.
• Relinquish plot to CGAU if unable to maintain it. Relinquished plots may be rented to new gardeners, and refunds will not be given. Deposits may be eligible for refund if the plot is cleared and the gardener has remained in good standing up to that point.
• Gardeners must remove all dead and rotting vegetation from their plots to avoid attracting rodents and pests. Plant waste should be placed in designated waste piles around the garden perimeter.
• Plots must remain free of trash and debris. All “landfill” or non-degradable trash (treated wood, PVC, metal, plastics, bags, glass, tires, etc.) should be placed in the on-site dumpster. Landfill trash must not be placed in plant waste piles.
• Each plot has a 12-inch-wide perimeter that creates 24-inch pathways throughout the garden. This perimeter should be kept free of weeds and mulched with wood chips.
• Pathways are to remain free of personal belongings (tools, containers, bags, etc.). Any garden equipment left in designated pathways will be removed and placed near the shed.
• Gardeners must maintain plants within their plots. The CGAU reserves the right to trim or remove any growth spilling into pathways and impeding traffic flow.
• Gardeners may install a fence around their plot, as long as it is maintained within their designated space and a 12-inch border is left to create the pathway. Note that any structure directly adjacent to paths should not be used as a trellis, as plants grown on them may spill into pathways.
• Hoses may only remain attached if a splitter is used, making additional spigots available for others.
• Irrigation timers are not permitted in the garden.
• Glass bottles are not permitted in the garden.
• If a renter chooses not to renew their plot for the following year, it is their responsibility to notify the garden. The plot must be cleared of vegetation and any non-organic material to be eligible for a refund of the deposit.

“Clearing” a plot means removing plants and weeds, garden materials, and trash. Smaller grasses and herbaceous plants are acceptable. Plant waste must be taken to a waste pile. Garden materials and trash should be removed from the property, donated to the garden, or placed in the dumpster. Garden materials include but are not limited to tools, hoses, stakes, containers, garden art, and plant supports (trellises, cages, etc.).

Renters must remain in good standing at all times during the contract period by maintaining their plot in accordance with the policies outlined on this web page. If the garden finds a gardener at risk of losing “good standing,” the gardener will be notified of the issue. Plots will be checked periodically, and maintenance reminders will be distributed as needed. If a gardener does not address an issue within seven days of a third reminder (21 days after the first reminder), the renter’s contract will be terminated, and no refund or deposit will be returned.

Renters must notify the garden if they no longer wish to rent their plot(s). Forfeited plots are not eligible for refunds, but if the renter clears the plot and leaves the garden in good standing, they may be eligible to receive their deposit back.

Renters will notify the garden via email as soon as possible of any change in contact information. Failure to do so could result in miscommunication of maintenance reminders and possible termination of the rental agreement.

The strategic plan of Auburn University includes sustainability as an important long-term goal in all aspects of campus life. While our gardeners are not limited to strictly organic practices, CGAU strongly encourages our community to consider sustainable methods in their plots. We encourage the use of organic and sustainable gardening methods, including preventative measures for and treatment of plant diseases and pests.

Weeds are always an issue at the garden, particularly because they spread so easily by animals and people walking through the garden, or by birds and wind distributing seeds. The best way to keep weeds under control is to weed frequently. Options for controlling weed growth include soil solarization and heavy mulching with natural materials such as pine straw and wood chips.

Gardeners at the CGAU can expect to deal with both insect and animal pests, as well as soil-borne and insect-borne diseases. The garden has been actively cultivated for almost 50 years, which means that avoiding pests and diseases is nearly impossible. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has many publications for crop information and problem-solving related to pests and diseases. There are also countless resources on Auburn University’s campus, including the Plant Diagnostics Lab and Extension agents who work from campus.

It is the goal of the CGAU to provide our gardeners access to the many resources available through campus. Occasionally, the CGAU may have an Extension agent come to the garden to conduct insect and disease scouting.

The CGAU provides water to all gardeners as part of the cost of plot rental. Gardeners agree to use water in a sustainable, conservative manner. This means avoiding watering between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with times varying slightly seasonally.

Purchases and maintenance of irrigation hoses, sprinklers, etc. are the sole responsibility of the renter. All spigots in the garden are shared among many plots. Hoses may only remain attached to a spigot if a splitter is used, making additional spigots available for others. Gardeners must remain nearby while watering. The CGAU is not responsible for maintaining irrigation equipment.

Glass bottles are not an acceptable way to water your garden. Glass could break, creating a safety hazard. Please do not bring any glass items to the garden.

Renters will use only their own personal tools or the community tools provided by the CGAU, unless specifically permitted by another renter to use their tools.

There is a communal tool cabinet located at the CGAU. All community tools must be cleaned and returned to the tool cabinet after use, and the tool cabinet must be locked (with keys returned) before leaving.

Children may be brought to the Community Garden as long as they are closely supervised at all times. The renter must ensure they do not disturb other renters’ plots.

Unless explicitly agreed upon by both parties, renters agree not to harvest from or otherwise disturb another renter’s plot. Gardeners found guilty of theft or destruction will have their contract terminated, and their deposit will not be refunded.