2026 Community Garden Plots - Regular Plots: R1-R26

2026 NORFOLK COMMUNITY GARDEN: Gardener’s GuideGENERAL GARDEN INFORMATION: Welcome!!1. There are 31 raised beds in the Garden plot contained in a fenced area of 50’ x 100’ at 49 Rockwood Rd.2. Each bed is constructed of pressure-treated wood and stable, non-toxic composite decking material for the sides. The boxes have a floor of ½’ grid, galvanized mesh, topped with landscape fabric. This allows drainage and produces an impervious barrier to burrowing animals.3. There are 3 types of beds, each sized differently for different needs. 3’ paths provide accessibility from all sides: there are three wheelchair-accessible beds measuring 10’ x 3’ x 30”, two smaller beds measuring 6’ x 3’ x 19” high, and 26 beds measuring 12’ x 3’ x 19” high. 4. Beds were filled with a 50/50 mixture of loam and compost. Please amend your mix as you would like.5. The garden is surrounded by an 8’ high deer fence and it now extends 1' or more into the ground.6. North and South fences contain sill cocks about every 16’ to provide access to well water on the property.7. The South fence has approximately five 110V electrical outlets, spaced evenly from East to West.8. A roofed bulletin board to provide communication is also on the site.9. Parking is available at the garden, in the parking lot, and the overflow parking area. Parking at the garden is on grass so please do not drive down to the garden if conditions are wet to prevent ruts from forming. As a Community Garden, we ask that all gardeners chip in to keep the garden neat and clean. Please plan on spending an hour or so each week making your area and adjacent areas neat, clean, and pleasant for all. To help with this, a battery-operated mower and trimmer are available for your use in the shed. Please be sure to plug in to recharge the batteries after use. YEARLY GARDEN INFORMATION: 2026 OPENING DAY MAY 4th!1. Please plan to amend your soil each year. There are compost bins available for use at the far end of the garden thanks to an Eagle Scout project. Please use them: give and take! When possible, additional compost and nutrients may be available for use.2. The rental season is May 4th – October 10th. Clean-up may begin on April 6th or later. All gardens must be cleaned and stripped by October 10th. (winter prep takes place at that time) .3. Well water is used so please be conscientious to not over water or to leave the water on unnecessarily. The well ran dry in 2022 and we don’t want that to happen again! 4. Power is available on site.5. The gates and shed have padlocks with the same combination number: 1940. The gate must not be left open at any time!6. TRASH: There are 2 trash bins that should be left by the shed so DPW can conveniently empty them. Please note: DPW only picks up what is in the barrels; no trash inside the garden will be picked up. PLANTING RULES:1. Gardeners may grow anything they wish except for marijuana, or dangerous, and/or invasive plants.2. Please be considerate of fellow gardeners and be sure to refrain from shading another person’s plot, etc.3. Gardeners may introduce small trellises made of safe material as long as they do not shade other gardens.4. Some plots will get more sun than others and this will affect the selection of plants. REGISTRATION INFORMATION:1. Norfolk residents may reserve a plot by registering through Norfolk Recreation at NorfolkRec.com2. If you agree to share your contact information with other gardeners, please let us know when you register.3. Plots will be assigned on a first come first served basis. Returning Gardeners have the option to reserve one plot before open registration begins. Two plots, if there is availability.4. Note: a few boxes may be reserved for special assignments eg. for the Food Bank or educational classes. If you would like to participate in teaching others about gardening, please let Norfolk Recreation know!5. IF there are any issues, please contact the Recreation Department.6. Fees per season: Standard boxes are $35, smaller boxes are $30, & accessible plots are $25. PRICING PER SEASON: Regular Size Plots = $35, Small Plots = $30, Accessible Plots = $25