Terms and conditions

Tofte Community Garden Terms & Conditions – Guidelines 

Please read the garden guidelines below carefully, then proceed to the registration page to fill out your
information to secure your plot in the Tofte Community Gardens at Birch Grove Community Center.

One of the main goals in community gardening is to work together in relative harmony. Please be
courteous in all interactions and work to resolve any disagreements.

Definition of a “working garden”, maintenance requirements:

A garden plot must be maintained, planted or mulched, and stay within its boundaries. Plots must not
be consistently weedy, untended or filled with debris. Several times through the season each plot will be
assessed by a team of garden stewards (made up of community garden members)- plots that are not
being used or kept up will be given a warning and offer of assistance if needed. If plot holders that are
given warnings do not respond, they will lose the privilege of automatically keeping their plot for the
next year and can be put on the garden waiting list if they desire to get a plot again in the future.

What is appropriate to grow:
Vegetables, herbs, flowers and annual fruit plants for home consumption and donation are appropriate.
No large structures, trees, or large collection of non-plant items are allowed. Crops must be legal and for
personal use or donation. 
Be considerate of your neighbors, do not plant sprawling crops or tall ones that might interfere with
other beds. Harvest only from your assigned plot.

Gardening Season
By June 15 your garden should be prepped for planting or planted. This deadline exists to motivate our
gardeners to show that they are going to use the garden plot, and not waste it. Some garden plots are
reserved with the best of intentions, but end up not being planted. If you haven’t started preparations
by this date, there is probably someone on the waiting list who would be willing to take over your plot.
“Prepped” means weeded and/or mulched. Gardeners are responsible for keeping the plot gardened, cover-cropped or mulched. No matter what crops you decide to plant, you are responsible for basic plot maintenance. 

The gardens are open from dawn to dusk seven days/week.

Please keep the garden gate closed at all times when not passing through it to keep rodents and
animals out of the gardens.

Cost of Plots / No refunds
If you give up your garden plot after you have registered or if you fail to maintain your plot and it is
transferred to another gardener, your plot fee will not be refunded.

Plot fee:   $25 / plot which includes access to water and compost
There will be a limit of 1 raised bed per person until June 1 at which time additional raised beds may be
assigned to interested gardeners at the cost of $25/ raised bed.

Summer Planting and Growing
PLANTING: By July 1, there should be substantial progress towards a productive garden, which includes:
• At least half of the plot(s) worked and planted
• Removal of remaining weeds
• Establishing and caring for plants

Fall Harvest and Clean-up
Crops should be harvested and the plants cleaned up and composted by Nov. 1st. All equipment and
materials such as tools, stakes, trellises, twine, etc is removed.

Compost
Please dispose of plant material in the appropriate compost bin and turn the pile. The compost pile
should only be used for compost, horse/cow/chicken manure and wood chips. No trash please.

Dogs in Gardens
No dogs are allowed inside the garden fenced area with the exception of service animals. 

Vegetable Theft
Any gardener reported for taking vegetables, flowers or supplies from another’s plot may have their
garden privileges revoked. Gardeners are encouraged to harvest your crop regularly to reduce the
temptation of theft by others. If you have more than you anticipated, feel free to let someone know. We can distribute on an as needed basis.

Natural Gardening Encouraged:
Use of herbicides, pesticides or synthetic fertilizers are prohibited. Gardeners are encouraged to use
natural gardening techniques.  Check the kiosk or contact the Extension Office at 387-3015 for more
information.

Do not spray on windy days.

Keep insects and weeds under control.

Be aware that bales of hay or straw may have been sprayed with Grazon, Roundup or other herbicides.
Please make sure that you are using only organic or non sprayed straw, hay, horse/cow/chicken manure.
Your compliance with the above guidelines will help everyone have an enjoyable and prosperous
garden. Failure to comply with the above guidelines during the season may result in a loss of future
gardening privileges.

Liability Release
In consideration of my desire to use the raised bed/s wherein Tofte Community Gardens operated by Tofte Township
MN, I assume all responsibility for any and all risks associated with gardening activities, including but not limited to,  property damage, personal injuries, or any potential hazards that I may sustain or am exposed to while participating in any effort or other activity of any nature, including but not limited to the use of equipment and/or facilities owned by Tofte Township. I choose to disclose or ignore any emergency contact information I could share in the event emergency care is necessary.

Further, I, for myself and my heir(s), executors, administrators, and assignees such as power of attorneys, hereby release, waive and discharge Tofte Township, MN and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and volunteers of and from any and all claims which I or my heir(s), administrators and assigns ever may have against any of the above for, on account of, by reason of or arising in connection with such volunteer gardening efforts or my participation therein, and hereby waive all such claims, demands, liabilities, expense(s) and causes of action. This also includes any medical, health, and personal conditions I am or am not aware of that could cause disruption of my intended use wherein Tofte Community Gardens operated by Tofte Township. 

Tofte Township does not provide any insurance coverage for injuries or damages sustained during gardening activities. I am aware that if an issue arises I am solely responsible for my insurance coverage and do not hold Tofte Township or Tofte Community Gardens in any respect, accountable in situations where insurance coverage may apply. I recognize I will not hold Tofte Community Gardens or Tofte Township responsible for any loss, investment(s), or expected return on crop yield. If I so choose to make a profit from the Tofte Community Gardens I will inform any relevant contacts of my intentions. I will not hold Tofte Community Gardens or Tofte Township liable for any chemical, bacterial, viral, or fungal exposure to myself, my likeness, minors, guests, otherwise noted responsibilities, or my intended crops that may sustain any amount of damage. This also includes any risk I may or may not expose to myself or others from my expected and actual yield of crops that I distribute or am responsible for.

I hereby grant permission to Tofte Township, MN and its representatives, including but not limited to officers, directors, employees, agents, and volunteers, to photograph, film, or otherwise capture my likeness and the likeness of any minors under my care participating in community gardening activities at the Tofte Community Gardens. I understand that these images may be used for promotional or educational purposes, including but not limited to, websites, social media, newsletters, and other marketing materials.

I agree that the Tofte Township, MN retains the full rights to use and reproduce these images without any further compensation or notification. I waive any right to inspect or approve the final products wherein my likeness appears. Additionally, I release and discharge the Tofte Township, MN from any claims, demands, or causes of action arising out of the use of such images, including without limitation any claims for invasion of privacy or defamation.

If I do not wish to have my likeness or the likeness of any minors under my care used in promotional materials, I understand that it is my responsibility to inform the Town of Tofte, MN in writing prior to participating in community gardening activities.

Further, I expressly agree that this release, waiver and indemnity agreement is intended to be as broad
and inclusive as permitted by the State of Minnesota, and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is
agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect.

Further, I have carefully read the foregoing release and indemnification and understand the contents
thereof and sign this release as my own free act.

I have read, understood and agreed to all the above information in order to use a raised bed at the
Tofte Community Gardens.