Community gardens

New gardener registration is now open for next year’s gardening season. 

1. Create your Play Your Way Online account:

To create your account visit Play Your Way Online  and select the ‘Create Your Account Signup’ option.

If you’re not sure if you already have an account in our new system or need assistance, email us at recreation@london.ca and a member of our Customer Service Team would be happy to help you.

2. Register for your plot:

• Online: Book your plot through Play Your Way Online using your registered account and then select 'Garden Plots', and find your preferred location and plot. Make sure to select ‘May 1’ as the date to register in the left hand side column.
• By email or over the phone: Send an email with your preferred location and plot to recreation@london.ca and a customer service staff will be able to sign you up.​​​​​​ Alternatively, call 519-661-5575 and provide this information.
• In person: In-person registration will be available at the City of London offices, second floor of 355 Wellington Street (Citi Plaza), Suite 248 only on Fridays between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the last two business days of every month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Registration inquiries can be sent to recreation@london.ca.

Phone registration is not currently available. View the most up to date information on COVID-19 impacts on City services.

3. Waitlist

Is your preferred garden full? Visit the “Garden Plot Waitlist 2021” under the facilities tab on Play Your Way online to be added to the waiting list.

Plots are rented on a geared-to-income basis.  The rental fee ranges from $15.30 to $40.80 for a plot of approximately 200 to 400 square feet for the season (May 1 to November 30).  Plots may vary slightly in size depending on the location. Gardeners are responsible for opening their garden plots up in the spring and putting their plot “to bed” in the fall.  Gardeners will receive specific Guidelines for gardener responsibilities to follow. To review these before Please read before you request a garden plot.

Standing height raised beds are available upon request. Wheelchair accessible plots are listed by garden and are available through our registration. Please contact us for more information.

Definitions

“Community Garden” is a site where municipally owned lands are used for the growing of produce, flowers and native plants for non-profit use through individual or shared plots.

“Garden Plot” is a plot in an existing Community Garden used for growing vegetables, fruits, herbs, native plants and/or ornamentals.

“Community Gardens Staff” refers to any City of London employee who works for the Community Gardens Program.

“Ambassador” refers to a volunteer gardener who acts as a representative within their garden to promote the program and create a welcoming space for all gardeners.

Rules

In addition to existing London parks by-laws and current public health guidelines, the Community Garden Rules are:

1. Access to the Community Garden

• Community Gardens are open from dawn to dusk. Operational support is provided by Community Gardens Staff from May until November only. This includes water availability and other items such as hoses, garbage cans, picnic tables, etc.

2. Community Garden Plots

• Gardeners are expected to begin work in their garden each season by May 1 at the latest, weather dependant. This can include clearing out, weeding, soil preparation and/or planting.
• It is expected that gardeners dedicate the hours required to keep their garden in good condition all season. Garden plots should be visited at least three times a week to weed and water, with more time spent in the spring to prepare and plant. No use of pesticides or illegal substances is allowed, as per the Ontario Pesticide Act. To view the act, please click the following link https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/090063#BK11
• No purposeful planting of invasive species, illegal plants, or cannabis on public land. Edible invasive plants (e.g. mint, Jerusalem artichoke, etc.) must be contained. Plant materials that are on Ontario's Invasive Species list are prohibited. Visit these websites for more information https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/invasive-plants/species/ and https://www.ontario.ca/page/invasive-species-ontario  

• Do not build or grow anything that poses a danger to other gardeners or visitors, shades neighbouring garden plots or does not add to the function of the garden.  Controversial items will be reviewed by Community Gardens Staff and may be removed, e.g. portable toilets, snow fence, sharp metal stakes, etc. Gardeners must garden in the designated area of their plot unless given permission otherwise.

3. Common Areas and Responsibilities
   • Ambassadors or Community Gardens Staff will communicate to gardeners about specific garden assets that are shared/common and how to interact with them. For example, shared gardening space, sheds, gazebos, etc.
   • Gardeners must ensure pathways are clear at all times.
   • Report any safety concerns to the Ambassador, who will then tell Community Gardens Staff, so information is passed on and resolved.
4. Communication
   • Ambassadors will attempt to resolve minor issues by increasing communication in the garden and by providing a warm and welcoming garden experience. 
   • Disputes or more serious offences shall be reported to Community Gardens Staff for mediation and action.

Every effort will be made by Community Gardens Staff and volunteer Ambassadors to orient gardeners to the garden.  This may include an orientation video, forming relationships with the Ambassador(s) to identify needs (such as translation or other accommodations), and an electronic and/or mailed copy of orientation information sent to each gardener. 

5. Consequences

All gardeners are expected to conduct themselves in a friendly and kind manner, and without prejudice. City of London by-laws apply to the park and gardens property. Refer to Rzone in the case of problems with other gardeners or park users.

Gardeners may lose their license to participate in the Community Garden Program if they fail to comply with any of these Rules, or if a Gardener:

• endangers or threatens other Gardeners, Ambassador(s), Community Gardens Staff, neighbours, or other individuals;
• grows illegal plants; or
• uses alcohol or illegal drugs in the Garden.

The City may, at its discretion, terminate immediately the Gardener’s right to participate in the Community Garden. If that occurs, the Gardener must leave the Community Garden by the end of Community Garden hours on the termination day and may not re-enter without the City’s permission.

All other infractions will result in a written notice (with photo if possible) sent to the Gardener. Community Gardens Staff will work with the Gardener, whenever possible, to assist them in resolving issues.  Failure to comply after 7 days (one week) will result in the plot being reassigned and the Gardener’s gardening privileges cancelled without a refund.

The 2020 community garden season opened with appropriate measures in place to slow the spread of the COVID virus.

Gardeners are asked to do their part and abide by the following new COVID-specific rules to keep our gardens and our gardeners safe. These are in addition to the traditional rules for every gardening season.

Gardens are open to registered gardeners only and remain closed to the public.