2026 East Garden Meeting minutes ongoing

4/1/2026 6pm in CH

attending: Renae, Abby, Thomas (and Mathew), Christy, Brian, Kay and Mary

Discussion about agreements for garden users based

Getting a plot

• Go/no go date to commit to tending a bed - in fall with check-in in spring  

Questions for discussion

• Unused beds - how to care for them?  who does it? Cover crop, burlap, something that builds soil and reduces weeds.  
• # of beds/unit - should this be limited to 1 unless no one is interested in a bed?  Could be revisited at the end of each growing season to make sure Community members have the opportunity participate
•  Half beds so folks can share rather than have to tend whole bed?
• Outside gardeners? This needs to be a broader Community conversation

Water Use

• Timer required for water on all beds, and coordination between gardeners to make sure times do not overlap
• Responsible water use (i.e. drip irrigation) is strongly encouraged

Questions for discussion

Drip system for the whole garden?

Plot Care & Maintenance

• Gardeners are encouraged to ask for help if they cannot maintain their bed, need harvesting, etc., rather than let bed go untended
• No invasive plants, spreading perennials, trees or grapes should be planting in bed (existing grape is fine)
• Weeds should be removed from plots before going to seed
• Tend your own beds, not other's unless asked to do so

Questions for discussion

Boxes - Since east garden is ana community amenity ofthat thestays community,even when gardeners move, who should pay to replace wood of boxes? ACM proposal for new boxes over time?

Communication

• Gardeners are encouraged to communicate with others regularly for reasons including but not limited to:
  •  if they are going to be gone and need help with harvest rather than leaving unharvested produce
    
  • if problems exist in another bed, rather then fixing it (unless it's urgent like broken water - turn it off, then talk)

Overall Space Care & Maintenance

• Gardeners should weed 1/2 of path surrounding their bed(s)
• Gardeners should contribute to maintenance of 
  • main irrigation - winterizing and turn on, repairs
  • fallow beds

Safety

• Avoid creating tripping hazards and other obstacles in the garden
  • pavers should be flush with the ground
  • tools should be put away after use, not stored in paths or beds
• Use only OMRI certified organic pesticides and fertilizers
• No synthetic materials like carpet or treated wood

01/11/2026 at 10am in the garden 
attending: Renae, Abby, Thomas (and Mathew), Marina, Christy, Brian (took notes)  

Discussion points: 

• adopting best practices for the garden was discussed
  • Christy will share Wasatch Community Gardens version
  • Kay will share earlier Wasatch Cohousing version
  • things discussed along these lines
    • not growing brambles (raspberries, black berries, etc.) in beds since they spread, have thorns, etc
    • keeping weeds and grass under control
    • maintaining paths for safe and easy movement through the garden
    • exploring edge materials for beds like Trex that could last longer than the boards
    • possible ways to care for beds that are not actively cultivated for a season - including burlap and cardboard (rather than plastic or weed fabric/barrier) 
• there was some orientation for new gardeners - water, property boundaries, some history
• possibility of raspberries elsewhere on property briefly discussed 
  • this is a landscape committee issue rather than garden
  • could be good barrier plant but issues with spreading, thorns, water use - are they worth it? 
• beds allocations were discussed, working plan
  • Abby and Thomas: 15
  • Marina and Scott: (did I miss this?)
  • Brian and Christy: 17, 18 
  • 7 and 8 will be fallow for summer 2026 gardeners will work together to protect from weeds/grass and hopefully grow soil
  • 16 (that has brambles) will be a cooperative project to remove brambles
• Proposed next meeting 02/08/2026