• Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Community Garden Plot Request Form

  • Thank you for your interest in applying to the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Community Garden Program!

    Please note that demand for garden plots is high. Applicants must be Mecklenburg County residents. Each household is limited to one plot at one garden at a time. If you wish to transfer to a different garden, you must reapply during an open application period and be selected before transferring.

    An active email address is required to participate in the program. Email is our primary form of communication, so please use an email account that you check regularly.

    Before applying, please carefully read and understand the Community Garden Plot Holder Agreement. It outlines the rules, responsibilities, and expectations of all program participants.

    To increase your chances of successfully maintaining a garden plot, please apply only to gardens that are within a 15-minute drive of your home or another location you regularly visit. You may select up to three gardens on your application.

    After you apply, applicants selected for gardens with available plots will receive an email from the Community Garden Program Manager titled "Community Garden Plot Availability – Action Required." You must respond within five business days, or the plot will be offered to the next applicant.

    Applicants who are not selected for an available plot will be notified by email after the application period closes if they have been placed on a waitlist.

    Thank You

  • Date*
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  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Which locations are you interested in? Please select your top three.*
    • Plot Holder Agreement (Expand to Read)   

    • Overview:

      As a participant in the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Community Garden Program, you are granted access to county-managed garden space at no cost. Some community gardens may collect a small, voluntary fee to support shared resources such as tools, wheelbarrows, hoses, décor, and seeds. 
       
      Each plot holder may hold a maximum of one (1) plot within a single community garden. 
       
      Our community gardens are shared public spaces designed to promote environmental stewardship, community engagement, and local food production. 
       
      Times Commitment:  

      Participation as a plot holder involves year-round responsibility to maintain your garden plot(s) and contribute to the overall cleanliness and success of the garden. 
       
      Plot holders are expected to: 

      To participate in two community clean-up and planting days per year (spring and fall). 
      Dedicate approximately two hours per week during peak growing season (April–September) to maintain their plot(s). 
      Keep their assigned plots and adjacent pathways clean, safe, and free from debris or overgrowth. 
       
      Note: 

      • Your garden captain is a volunteer. Respect their time and effort as they only make the experience better for the community of gardeners. They are there to also uphold the rules of this agreement.
      • You still must maintain your bed throughout the year even if you are mono-cropping (growing only one crop in your allotted plot like sweet potatoes, corn, herb and leafy greens.)
      • Safety first: Please watch where you place tools and hoses. Place tools sharp side down out of walkways.
      • Bees, yellow jackets, snakes, rodents or other species may be around. Be proactive with cleanliness and keep your area in good shape.
      • Have a great time and remember you are in a publicly shared space. Please respect your neighbors!

      Expectation as a plot holder:

      Violations of any of these rules can result in loss of garden plot(s).

      Be aware that some community gardens may have their own agreements specific to their site. Garden Captains and Co-Captains, with approval from Park and Recreation and in collaboration with their plot holders, have the authority to establish additional guidelines that best support the unique needs of their respective community garden.

      1. Participation and Contact Requirements 
        • Plot holders must maintain an active email address and phone number to participate in the Community Garden Program. Communication is key!
        • Plot holders must keep their contact information up to date with their Garden Captain and Park and Recreation representative.
      2. Cleanliness and Maintenance
        • Each plot holder is responsible for maintaining their plot and adjacent pathways in a clean, orderly condition throughout the year.
        • If a garden plot or its adjacent paths become excessively weedy or overgrown with rotting produce, the Garden Captain or Park and Recreation will notify the gardener.
          • The gardener will have one (1) week to correct the issue after each warning.
          • After the third (3rd) warning, garden privileges may be revoked.
          • Repeat offenders are also subject to plot revocation.
        • If Park and Recreation staff are required to clean your plot, your plot will be forfeited.
        • This policy is in effect year-round. If you plan to be away for an extended period, contact your Garden Captain in advance to arrange assistance.
        • Plot numbers must remain in or on plot and be visible.
      3. Plot Use and Seasonal Requirements
        • Plots must be actively cultivated during peak season (April–September).
        • Plot holders with three or more years of participation may choose to rest their soil for one season to promote soil health, but the plot must be covered with a mulch, or a tarp during that time.
        • Plots must be cleaned and prepared by the following deadlines:
          • Spring: May 1
          • Fall: December 1
          • Failure to comply with or contact your Garden Captain by these dates may result in plot loss.
        • It’s recommended to mulch or cover your plot with a tarp after cleaning to prevent weed growth. Garden Captains can assist if needed.
        • Each plot must always have its assigned plot number visible.
        • Plot holders may not reserve or hold unused plots for future use. Use it or lose it!
      4. Conduct and Community Standards
        • Respect all gardeners, volunteers, and staff. Abusive behavior, theft, vandalism, or harassment will result in immediate removal from the garden.
        • Gardeners are responsible for the upkeep of all areas inside the garden fence, including pathways.
          • Keep paths clear of weeds, tools, and debris.
          • Park and Recreation is responsible for major infrastructure maintenance (e.g., water lines, county fencing).
        • Always lock gates and turn off water after use, including hose valves.
          • Water is typically turned off in November and on in April to protect the pipes from freezing.
      5. Planting and Fencing Regulations
        • No ornamental trees or shrubs may be planted.
        • The following restrictions apply:
          • Fruit trees are prohibited to be planted in the plot, or on or around the garden property. You are welcome to plant them in containers and place them near your plot, however they must not shade other plots or block major pathways.
          • Grapevines are prohibited.
          • Roses or fruiting shrubs are allowed only if small, contained, and non-intrusive.
          • Mint should be avoided in garden beds due to its invasive growth habit. It should be planted in a container or pot to prevent spreading.
        • Fencing Guidelines:
          • Plot holders may install fencing, but posts may not be set in concrete.
          • When a gardener leaves the program, all fencing and materials must be removed.
          • Barbed wire and concrete-set fencing are prohibited.
          • Stakes under 4 feet must be capped or covered (e.g., tennis balls, pipe insulation, or store-bought caps).
      6. Tools and Materials
        • Place tools safely with sharp ends down and out of walkways.
        • Gardeners are responsible for providing their own plants, seeds, premium soil mixes and fertilizers.
        • Pesticides/Herbicides:
          • The program promotes organic gardening practices.
          • Only products labeled for edible crops and containing a “Caution” signal word are allowed.
          • Avoid chemicals; prioritize environmentally friendly methods, such as soap-based sprays or OMRI-listed products. Ask Garden Captain for recommendations
          • All pesticides that contain Neonicotinoids are prohibited. Research indicates they contribute to bee colony collapse.
      7. Waste and Composting
        • Park and Recreation provide trash bags and collection.
          • Bags must be securely tied and not overfilled.
          • Please use separate bags for organic plant waste and non-organic waste. As we use the plant waste for our county compost facility.
          • If a bag is difficult to lift, it is likely overfilled.
        • Composting:
          • Open composting (inside or outside the fence) is not permitted.
          • Compost must be kept in closed, above-ground bins with secure lids to prevent rodent activity.Manure-Based Compost: Raw manure or unfinished manure compost is not permitted in garden plots.
            • Manure-based soil amendments must be fully composted or commercially processed before use.
            • Materials that smell strongly of manure or ammonia, feel hot, or contain visible bedding (straw, hay, wood shavings, bones) are considered unfinished.
            • If using manure compost, it must be a commercially packaged product intended for garden use.
      8. Use Restrictions
        • Produce grown in community gardens cannot be sold or used for commercial purposes.
        • Beehives are not allowed.
        • Smoking, vaping, alcohol, and drug use are strictly prohibited.
        • Children under 16 must be always supervised by an adult.
        • No pets are permitted, except for service animals.
          • Service animal waste must be bagged and removed from the site.
      9. Security and Communication
        • Do not share lock combinations or gate access with guests or visitors.
        • All complaints or issues should be reported to the Garden Captain first.
        • If the issue cannot be resolved, Park and Recreation will assist.
      10. Garden Spaces Maintained by County or Public Entities
        • Garden plots maintained by other county departments, public agencies, or affiliated entities are subject to the same rules and expectations as individual plot holders. The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Community Garden Program prioritize public access and community use. All garden space is considered temporary and may be reassigned, modified, or revoked as needed to meet program demands and ensure equitable access for the public.

       Acknowledgment and Signature

       Plot Holder Applicants must acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to this agreement before being placed in a Park and Recreation community garden.

    • Plot Holder Agreement   
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