Application and Rules

Notice to all Gardeners:

GRO South Hadley Community Gardens will be accepting applications for the upcoming 2026 growing season. 

 If you are a returning gardener, submit your application immediately in order to be guaranteed your same plot as last year. 

If you are a new gardener, please submit your application by April 30, 2026. 

The application and all the information about our community garden is located at the website:  grosohadley.wordpress.com

Apply for a 2026 garden plot and pay plot fee through the Town of South Hadley Recreation Department page website:    www.southhadleyrecreation.org

Detailed instructions to navigate the application process are posted on the Recreation Department page.

2026
Application and Rules
Notice to all Gardeners:
GRO South Hadley Community Garden will be accepting
applications for the upcoming 2026 growing season.
If you are a returning gardener, submit your application
immediately in order to be guaranteed your same plot as last
year.
If you are a new gardener, please submit your application by
April 30, 2026
The application for and all the information about our
community garden is located here. Download at:
• grosohadley@wordpress.com
(go to Pages: Application and Rules)

2026 Season
1. Gardeners must be residents of South Hadley.
2. Gardeners must view the garden orientation film at:
gro.southhadley@wordpress.com ( under Pages tab) prior to beginning the gardening season.
3. Plot Fees and Assignment:
The fee for a community garden plot is $30 for the growing year if you are a new gardener. The plot fee for a returning gardener is also $30 provided the returning gardener has completed the 4-hour work requirement for the prior gardening year. If the work requirement has not been met, the plot fee is $60 for the current year.

A gardener, new or returning, may elect to be released from the 4-hour work requirement by paying the $60 fee up front.
Note: Plot refunds will be given to gardeners who need to withdraw from their plot before April 30 of the gardening year.

Plots will be assigned based upon the following:

Returning gardeners may reserve the same plot from the prior gardening year provided they pay for their plot no later than the last day of February. If the plot is not paid by the last day of February, the garden board has the right to assign the plot to a new gardener. Plot assignments for both new and returning gardeners close as of the end of April of the current season. Returning gardeners may request a second plot when filing their application. New gardeners may request second plots which will be awarded at the discretion of the Garden Board and based upon availability once returning gardeners’ requests have been met.
Second Plots will be awarded as of May 1st of the current season with second plot payments due no later than May 15. Every effort will be made to award second plots that will adjoin the first plots based upon the number of plots that remain open as of April 30th. No more than 2 garden plots may be awarded to the same person except at the discretion of the Garden Board after June 1. The fee for the second plot will be the same as for the first plot, which is $30 (with 4-hour work requirement), or $60 (opting out of work requirement). For gardeners who accept the 4-hour work requirement on plot #1, the work requirement attached to a gardener’s second plot is reduced to 2
hours (6 hours in total for 2 plots).

Additional Plots: If plots remain open after June1 and assignment of requested second plots has been met, the assignment of additional plots will be at the discretion of the Garden Board. Payment of the additional (3rd) plot fee will be $30 and there is no work
requirement attached to this additional (3rd) plot.
4. Gardeners are required to keep the pathways in front of assigned plot(s) clear of weeds/ debris and covered with wood chips. This requirement is not part of the 4-hour work commitment which is devoted to the general maintenance of the community gardens grounds.
5. Carry in / Carry out: There are no trash barrels at the gardens. Whatever disposable items you bring with you to the gardens, you must take away.
6. Safety Issues:
a. Be aware that poison ivy is present on the perimeter of the community garden property. Exercise caution.
b. Bees are common at the gardens. Most do not sting. Use Caution.
c. Smoking is prohibited on the Community Gardens property.
d. Tripping hazards. Watch out for garden implements improperly left on pathways.
Plot Rules:
7. Plots can be shared as long as one individual is on record as responsible for the plot.
All gardeners are expected to limit their work / use to the plots for which they have paid the appropriate fees and have been assigned.
8. If a gardener is not able to maintain his/her plot, he/she may elect another gardener to use and maintain it for the current season, however, the garden board needs to be notified of this change.
9. If a gardener doesn’t work his/her plot before May 31, every attempt will be made to contact the gardener to remedy the problem. If the problem is not remedied, the garden board reserves the right to reassign the plot.
10. Gardeners are to keep their plots weeded and neat. Weeds must be placed in the designated compost area. Unsightly and unkempt plots become a nuisance to other gardeners. Should this become the case, attempts will be made to contact the gardener of the plot to remedy the situation. If the situation persists for more than 15 days, the garden board reserves the right to till under the offending plot and deny future plot membership to the owner.
11. Tall and Vining Plants: plants which spread should be planted in the middle of your space. Plant tall crops where they will not shade neighboring plots. Dwarf Sunflowers only. Plants that spread out as they grow should be at least 18 inches from the edge of your plot – (tomatoes, peppers, etc.).
12. Pick only your own crops unless given permission by another plot’s renter .
Unauthorized picking from a garden will result in loss of garden privileges.
13. All spring, summer, and winter crops must be harvested and plant residue disposed of by the first weekend in November. All vegetation around over wintering crops must be removed by this time as well.
Note: Garden equipment / implements to remain at your plot through the winter months must be placed in the center of your plot. Leave items at your own risk.
14. Water will be provided through a faucet and hose system. Water should be applied to your rented space only. Faucets MUST BE turned off and hose returned to rack.
(Best garden practice is to water at the base of plants, not leaves / stems.)
15. Fertilization and Pest Control: Apply ONLY organic products to your individual plot. If you have any questions concerning certain products, please contact one of the garden managers / GRO Board Members.
16. Care should be given when bringing children to the garden to insure they do not enter and disturb other peoples’ plots.
17. No pets are allowed inside the Community Garden area or allowed to run loose on the Community Garden property.
18. No grass clippings can be brought onto the site by anyone at any time.
19. Disrespectful or abusive language, or destructive behavior can result in immediate loss of all gardening privileges, and forfeiture of any crops remaining in the ground..
20. I understand that neither Gro South Hadley nor owners of the land (Town of South
Hadley) are responsible for my actions.
THEREFORE I AGREE TO HOLD HARMLESS GRO SOUTH HADLEY AND OWNERS
OF THE LAND (TOWN OF SOUTH HADLEY) FOR ANY LIABILITY, DAMAGE, LOSS
OR CLAIM THAT OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH USE OF THE GARDEN BY ME
OR ANY OF MY GUESTS.
YOUR SIGNATURE ON THE APPLICATION AFFIRMS THAT YOU HAVE READ AND
AGREE TO THE RULES ENUMERATED ABOVE.
GRO South Hadley Community Garden Board:
. , President

. , Vice President
Cheryl Burke, Treasurer

Suzanne Paris, Secretary

Committee member: Doris Dubois

Contact the Board with questions, comments, concerns:
gro.sohadley@gmail.com