Sunshine Community Gardens

5 September 2019

www.sunshinecommunitygardens.org

Gardener's Picture page

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Site Rules Proposed Changes

Hello gardeners! The board is updating and improving the rules on three topics. It is empowered to propose and enact rules as elected representatives of the garden, but we wanted get these ideas out there to get member feedback before taking final action. Because of this, the quarterly meeting has been moved back to October in order to allow for input.

Please contact the president with any suggestions or come to the monthly board meetings which occur at 6:00 pm on the second Tuesday of every month at the garden. The board is proposing changes on the following topics:

The first is topic is fees. Our fee system is complex, a simplification would benefit everyone. The following changes are being proposed:

• Clarifying initial fees for new gardeners based on length of growing season left.
• Eliminating clean up fee- this in practice slows plot turn over by requiring numerous communications to urge the clean-up of plot and decide if a refund is warranted. The tool fee of $20.00 will be kept.
• End refunds to people who pay an annual fee late.
• Remove any fees currently in rule language related to moving to a smaller plot.

The second topic is plot turnover timelines. Many gardeners start with the best of intentions and then just walk away from their plots. Zone Coordinators are tasked with contacting, urging and cajoling compliance or figuring out if a gardener has decided to leave. Often there is no response. Meanwhile the garden drifts into a mess that impacts the neighbors.

• Currently, once the formal process starts, gardeners are given 21 days to get the plot back into compliance.
• We would like to require a response within 7 days, if any contact is made the gardener still gets 21 days to clean up their plot.
• If they do not respond to the formal notices of non-compliance (letter and email) the gardener loses their plot after 7 days.

Finally, we would like to adjust the site rules to allow for secondary gardeners on quarter plots.

• Due to the way the rules are currently written, this is not allowed.
• That is frustrating for someone who has been gardening on these plots and participating in our community to have go to the back of the line, start over and leave a plot they have put sweat equity into.

Thank you!
Steve Uecker

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Fall Workdays Scheduled for Second Saturdays

Organized workdays are a great way to complete your service hours and meet fellow Sunshine gardeners. Workdays have been scheduled for the second Saturday of each month September - December with a second December workday scheduled for Saturday 12/28. A short workday is also tentatively planned in conjunction with the Khaki Weedout and BBQ/Potluck scheduled for Saturday 9/21 5:00pm. Watch future Weeders for additional information about the workdays, times, and tasks to be done. The fall workdays are:

• Saturday 9/14 (morning)
• Saturday 9/21 (afternoon) (tentative)
• Saturday 10/12 (morning)
• Saturday 11/9 (morning)
• Saturday 12/14 (morning)
• Saturday 12/28 (morning)

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Save the Date -- Saturday 9/21/19

The Khaki Weedout and Barbecue/Pot Luck will be held on Saturday September 21, 2019 at 5:00pm at Sunshine. It should be cooler by then. Please join your fellow gardeners as we make a concerted effort in our battle to control Khaki Weed. (Wear Gloves). Martin Morales gardener and barbecue master will have his rig at Sunshine for the carnivores. Please bring a side dish or dessert to add to the feast. A "survey monkey" will be sent out shortly so we can plan accordingly for attendance.

It should be cooler by then.

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Upcoming Events at Zilker Botanical Garden

September 9, 2019 - Austin Organic Gardeners' Monthly Meeting - "Growing Food for Our Communities" Panel - 6:00am - 9:00pm

Check out the Austin Organic Gardeners' website.

For more info, check out our Facebook event.

September 14, 2019 - "Selection, Planting and Care of Your Trees" Gardening Seminar - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Cost: Free with garden admission

Check out the Travis County Master Gardener's website.

For more info, check out our Facebook event.

September 21st & 22nd - The 26th Annual Texas Bamboo Festival - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Cost: Free with garden admission

Check out the Austin Bamboo Society's website.

For more info, check out our Facebook event.

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Weeder Content

Please email your article or suggestion to Holly Gilman by end of day Wednesday.

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