All plots have been filled for the 2025 season. Please check back next year!
The Columbia Falls Community Garden’s success depends upon its plot holders.
Please read the following regulations.
Each gardener must read the rules and agree to abide by them before any work in the garden can begin.
Garden plots are $30 each for the 2025 growing season. There is a one-time $20.00 security deposit per plot.
Each gardener is responsible for the continual maintenance and upkeep of their garden plot. Watering, weeding, harvesting and any other garden related maintenance are the responsibility of the gardener. Garden plots must be actively worked by May 1. Extensions may be made due to prolonged inclement weather. In addition, plot holders are responsible for keeping the paths around their plots clear. If any garden plot remains unattended for more than two weeks, that plot is subject to forfeit and reassignment. Do not allow weeds to go to seed that could affect other garden plots.
All gardeners must be conscientious of their neighbors. When designing plots, please be considerate of plant placement. Consider the size of the plants when they reach maturity: a mature squash might take over a walkway and a large group of giant sunflowers could block someone’s sun. Raised beds and support structures should not be so high as to block the sun from neighboring plots.
A variety of tools, as well as some hoses and watering equipment will be available in the Community Garden storage shed for general use. An orientation to these items will occur during a spring plot holders meeting. In order to keep water costs down, gardeners will use responsible and efficient watering techniques. Each plot will be assigned a spigot for use.
There will be a group compost pile that is coordinated by the garden director and volunteers. Compost, when it is available, will be divided equally amongst gardeners. Orientation and signage will be provided regarding where to put certain types of garden waste. It is important that each plot holder keeps the compost pile neat and functioning. Make sure that green garden waste is chopped up and placed in the correct bin.
Each gardener will be given one key to the garden and the storage shed for access to tools and watering equipment. Keep the garden gate and storage shed locked when not on the premises and return all tools. Please keep the gates of the garden closed when present to keep curious four-footed friends from entering. If you make copies or lose your key, you are responsible for the cost.
Children under 10 are welcome in the garden but must be accompanied by an adult and must be supervised at all times. Please take care to keep your children from accidentally trampling any plants in a neighbor’s plot. Pets are not permitted inside the garden at any time, no matter how small and how well-behaved.
The Columbia Falls Community Garden is organic. The use of non-organic pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides is strictly prohibited. Starter plants from local garden centers can be used.
The assignment of garden plots will be awarded using an application system, with a wait list for abandoned plots, depending on the time of year.
All gardeners are required to sign up for and complete garden maintenance duties, such as mowing, trimming, watering, and weeding the general areas, as well as participate in early and late season garden preparation activities. This participation is crucial to the ongoing success of the Garden.
Gardeners may harvest vegetables and flowers from their garden only, with the exception of the herb, asparagus, rhubarb and berry gardens.
Produce or flowers from the garden cannot be sold for personal profit.
Marijuana cannot be grown in the Community Garden.
The City of Columbia Falls contracted the land to the CFCG, which is a non-profit entity supervised by a volunteer board of directors and volunteer manager. To continue this relationship, we need to respect the space by maintaining our plots and the community garden plots with exceptional upkeep. You are expected to do work outside of your plot, as indicated in the agreement, that contributes to the whole of the garden. Please take ownership in the shared responsibilities of our garden.
At the end of the growing season, gardeners are responsible for clearing their plots of all plant material, unless it is prepared as compost material. The plot should still look neat during the off-season. Raised beds and some supports may remain if you choose to garden with us for the following year. Tall trellising structures should be taken down for the winter. Failure to do so might mean forfeiture of your plot. If you are not returning the following season, please completely weed and cover your plot with landscape fabric.