The community gardens are opening May for the spring /summer growing season through fall harvest. Garden plots are 12 x 12 feet and available to PrairieStar District residents for a $75 fee and to non-District residents for a $100 fee for the current season.

_____________________________________________________________________________

operations

PrairieStar Metropolitan District No. 2 is a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Colorado.  The Gardens at PrairieStar is managed by and included within the District and is available for use by District residents and other members of the public as a neighborhood amenity. 

The volunteer Garden Coordinator(s) is/are responsible for ensuring that the Community Garden contract, rules, terms, and conditions for participation are followed. The District reserves the right to terminate the use of the property for the Community Garden and to replace the Garden Coordinator(s).  The District will administer the following fees as described below.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Hours

The hours of the The Gardens at PrairieStar are from dawn to dusk seven days a week.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Plot assignment

Plots are assigned by a lottery system. Any plots still available after the lottery date has expired are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If more gardeners are interested than plots are available, their names will be placed on a waitlist and plots will be assigned as they become available.  Preference for plots for the 2022 growing season will be given to last year’s participants first. A maximum of two (2) plots, per applicant registration, may be rented in any given season.

Garden plots may be shared by two (2) gardeners. Each gardener’s name and signature must appear on this contract and each gardener must sign a waiver.

Before a plot can be assigned, gardeners must pay all fees in full, and sign both “The Gardens at PrairieStar Contract, Rules, Terms and Conditions for Participation” and “The Gardens at PrairieStar Waiver and Release of all Claims.”

_____________________________________________________________________________

Fees

For the 2022 growing season, the following plot fees and clean-up deposit are required for the use of the Community Garden:

Non-Refundable Fees:

  • District residents = $75 per plot

  • Non-District residents = $100 per plot

 Refundable Clean Up Deposit:

  • District/Non-District resident = $75 per plot

The refundable clean-up deposit of S75 per plot ('Clean Up Deposit) will either be refunded or forfeited at the end of the 2022 growing season.

 

The refunding of the clean-up deposit will be based on whether the gardener 1) watered and weeded their plot(s) on a weekly basis throughout the 2022 growing season and 2) had their plot(s) marked as clean by the end of day on the first Sunday in November {November 6, 2022} by the Garden Coordinator(s) (“Inspection”).

 The Inspection by the Garden Coordinator{s) includes making sure the lot is free of all plant material, non-plant material including trellis, boards, wire, rope, string, weed block fabric, straw, stepping stones, produce towers, etc. Any gardeners with plots that failed to pass this Inspection will receive written notification, on or before November 15, 2022 altering them to the forfeiture of their Clean Up Deposit.

 Before a plot can be assigned, gardeners must pay all fees and deposit in full, and sign both the “The Gardens at Prairiestar Contract, Rules, Terms and Conditions for Participation" and "The Gardens at Prairiestar Waiver and Release of all Claims."

_____________________________________________________________________________

Water Usage

In order to stay water-wise, we recommend watering only three (3) days per week.  Watering will be on an honor system. Only “hand-watering” allowed with a hose and nozzle or wand. Do not water more than 20 minutes per plot, in mornings/evenings as needed. Always attend your hose while watering. Do not flood water your plot(s). Keep evaporation down by watering close to plants base. Do not water pathways or outside of your plot(s).

_____________________________________________________________________________

Rules for Participation

  • Gardeners are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their garden plot(s), including watering, weeding, pests, diseases, harvesting, and other garden related maintenance. Gardens must be cared for at least one per week.

  • Gardeners must volunteer at least three (3) hours of service to the entire Community Garden area during the 2022 growing season.  Volunteer activities include, but are not limited to the following:  weeding, cleaning abandoned garden plots, picking up trash, spreading cover crop seed or covering plots with plastic at season’s end, re-cover plots that plastic has blown off of, and general garden clean-up. 

  • Once assigned, garden plots are to be cultivated and planted within two (2) weeks.

  • Do not drag hoses through others’ plots, try to avoid overspray, and be courteous to other gardeners waiting to use the hose. No watering of other gardener’s plots without their permission.

  • After watering, water spigots are to be turned off, hoses rolled up near water risers, and  watering items to their storage location. All watering must be attended. Gardeners are to water their garden(s) or arrange to have another gardener water their garden(s). Plots that remain unattended for more than 3 (three) weeks are subject to reassignment.

  • Please respect the tools, hoses, and other equipment provided by the Community Garden. Clean tools after use and return them to the storage shed, and lock the storage shed.

  • At the end of the growing season gardeners must clear their plot of all plant material/non-plant material by the first weekend in November or forfeit their $75 clean up deposit.

  • Please keep the gardens free of trash and take home all personal belongings.

  • No dogs, pets, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, smoking or open flames allowed. No animal or human waste allowed.

  • Guests and visitors, including children, are welcome when accompanied by the registered gardener. Children must be supervised at all times. Gardeners are responsible for the behavior of their guests. No walking in other gardener’s plots.

  • No pesticides (bug killers) or herbicides (plant killers) without the approval of the Garden Coordinator.

  • Prohibited plants include mint, raspberries, horseradish, Jerusalem artichokes, and cannabis.  No planting of trees or bushes in plots.

  • No fences. Any tall plants or trellises must not shade neighboring plots or grow more than 6’ high. No expansion of plants outside the perimeter of a garden plot. Plots, paths, and surrounding area are to be kept clean and neat.

  • Removal of food, plants or materials from other gardener’s plots is not allowed, or removal of anything from the Community Garden that is not rightfully yours.

  • Keep the gates to the garden always closed. Entrance to the Gardens is only through its gates.

  • The Garden storage shed needs to be closed and locked after use by gardeners. Garden storage shed lock combination is to be kept secure from others.

  • Respect and consideration of others is requested. No abusive or profane language and no discrimination against others. Gardeners are to be mindful not to do anything that would compromise the safety, security, and peace of the Community Garden.

  • Always be considerate of others!

See a complete list of rules in The Gardens Contract:

To print a copy of The Gardens Waiver and Release of All Claims: