We welcome new members, whether they want a plot to garden in or just want to join our community of gardeners.
Membership application form
This membership and plot rental form provides all the key information required to apply:
Please email your form and payment advice to ogcommunitygarden@gmail.com, or bring your form and payment along to one of our Events. All applications and payments will be acknowledged. Receipts provided on request only.
Plots
Plots are only able to be rented by financial members of the Community Garden Ocean Grove Inc. If there are more applicants than plots available, your name will go on a waiting list.
Plot holders are encouraged to start work on their gardens as soon as possible. If you are a novice gardener, please let us know — there are plenty of Garden members and friends who can help to get you started with developing your plot and getting your first crops in.
Member responsibilities and obligations
Members of the Community Garden Ocean Grove have a number of obligations including:
- Pay annual Community Garden fees
- Abide by the Garden Management Guidelines
- Undertaking a minimum of 12-hours of community garden work, such as working bees, farmers market stall, or logged work on shared areas at the Garden
- Reporting access and safety issues to the Committee as soon as practicable, to ensure risks are minimised
- Receiving and reading all garden communications (generally via email or on the notice board at the Garden)
- Attend general meetings
Read member obligations and responsibilities in detail below:
- Managing and making the most of your plot
- Pest and weed management
- Plants you can and can’t grow in your plot
- Structures and art in plots
Managing and making the most of your plot
- Keep pathways alongside your plot clear of overgrowth, weeds, rubbish, stakes, bales of straw, timber, pot plants etc.
- Ensure paths are accessible to everyone of all abilities up to 1 metre around your plot.
- Garden plots are a valuable resource, and members should be actively using their plot throughout the year, including keeping the plot cultivated and weeded.
- If you are going away, please find a plot buddy to look after your plot during your absence, or let the Committee know so they can keep an eye on your plot.
- Members may forfeit their plot if they become neglected. The Committee will endeavour to make contact before taking this step.
Pest and weed management
- Organic pest and disease control options should be used. If you are not sure, please seek the advice of the Committee. Many garden pests can be controlled via companion planting and use of organic sprays such as garlic spray.
- Do not use chemicals. Endeavour to follow organic gardening principles.
- Herbicides/weed killers, such as glyphosate, are not permitted.
- Insecticides are prohibited.
- Weeds should be controlled with heavy mulching and regular weeding.
Plants you can and can’t grow in your plot
Plot holders are free to make their own choices about planting, with a few restrictions:
- Growing potentially poisonous or allergenic plants are not permitted.
- Invasive plants, such as ivy, blackberry, raspberry, fennel, oxalis, horseradish, must not be grown.
- Potentially invasive plants, such as mint, must only be grown in pots or tubs, and the plant must be effectively contained and managed.
- Trees and large shrubs are not permitted to be planted (due to shading considerations).
Structures and art in plots
Plot holders can install structures, materials and art pieces within the boundaries of their plot but take care with stakes or sharp edges – no sharp materials should be poking into pathways.
Keep in mind the potential impact on neighbouring plot holders (e.g. shading), and any safety risks (e.g. stability, sharp edges and points).
The Committee must be consulted prior to the installation of anything large, or anything in shared and communal areas.
Community Garden Ocean Grove Inc. 