Allotment Bed Rules and Guidelines

 

Douglas Island Garden Society (DIGS)

Allotment Bed Rules and Guidelines

1. Registration Fees and Allotment Reservation

A. Each island resident is entitled to lease a plot, if space is available. Allotment lease holders must be current DIGS members.

B. Annual allotment fees are $50 per full plot, $25 for a half plot or $15 for a third of a plot. These fees are not refundable.

C. The fee includes frugal use of water and soil amendments (fertilizers). Compost, including seaweed and leaves from the community garden supply is for the communal beds only.

D. Allotment leases are good for one year (March 1 to February 28). DIGS reserves the right to change location and availability in future years. DIGS reserves the right to refuse to rent allotments if there is just cause.

E. Allotment leases are to be renewed and signed annually by March 1. Reminders will be emailed to current gardeners at the beginning of each calendar year.  Plots will become available to those on the wait list if any lease holders have not signed and paid the fee by March 1.

F. Allotments must be cleared of weeds by April 1. Failure to do so will result in the plot being reassigned to another gardener.

G. If, for any reason, a renter finds that they cannot care for their garden, they are required to notify the allotment coordinator and make arrangements for the care of their garden during their absence. The care giver needs to be made aware of all the guidelines concerning the allotment beds including mowing and watering duties. If an allotment holder is absent for more than one year he/she must relinquish his/her bed. Appeals can be made as set out in 13B Cooperation and Community.

2. Wait List

Any Protection Island resident can be on the wait list for an allotment bed as long as they are a member of DIGS. As a full bed becomes available it will be divided in half and the gardeners in the overflow bed will get first option to take a lease on ½ of the bed.

3. Watering

The rental fee includes the frugal use of water. Only hand watering is allowed.

4. Planting Restrictions

A. Only organic methods of growing are permitted - no toxic chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Gardeners using these items will lose their gardening privileges.

B. No trees are allowed because of shade and root problems.

C. No invasive species, eg. bamboo. Please check the City of Nanaimo’s web page for local invasive plants.

D. Tall plants can only be planted where they will not shade neighbouring plots.

5. Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in the garden area. This is a safety issue and a means of preventing the spread of the tobacco virus.

6. Weeds and Trash

It is the gardener’s responsibility to control the weeds and trash in their own plots and adjacent pathways and to clear their plot of trellis and staking material, plastic mulching, and plant debris when not in use.

7. Rebar

Exposed rebar is not allowed for staking or trellising for safety purposes.

8. Pets

Pets are not allowed in the garden.

9. Storage

Storage on site for gardeners’ tools or supplies will not be provided. Gardeners must pack what they need in and out.

10. Gates

Gardeners are asked to close and latch all gates when leaving to keep the deer out.

11. Compost and Garbage

A refuse bin (for non-organic garbage) and an open compost bin (for leaves, stem and root material) will be available on site.

12. Harvesting

No one may pick another gardener’s crop unless he or she has been given permission by the plot user.

13. Cooperation and Community

A. In addition to the annual fee, gardeners are required to make a contribution of their time by participating in the following communal tasks:

i) grass cutting - each allotment lease holder will be required to cut the grass and trim edges of the whole garden (inside and out) for an assigned one or two week period.

ii) watering - each allotment lease holder will be required to water the communal beds as needed. Beds to be watered will be assigned. If the lease holder is unable to complete the watering and/or mowing duties he/she must discuss this with the allotment coordinator.

iii) construction tasks and maintenance tasks

iv) lease holders are encouraged to attend weekly work party meetings to contribute in discussing issues pertaining to the garden.

B. Conflicts or concerns among allotment gardeners should be worked out privately. If not, the coordinator will arbitrate.

14. Privacy of Personal Information

All information collected on registration forms will be compiled in a database accessible only to the executive and will be kept confidential. This information will not be lent, rented or sold.

15. Subletting

The leased bed is to be used as a garden by the lease holder and may not be used or sublet except as decided in section 1G.

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These rules will be reviewed annually and may be improved.

Updated and approved at the AGM held February 28, 2026