One way to get involved is to lease a plot for the season. We have three different plot types in the community gardens, with a different application process for each type.
Individual Plots
The garden has 60 individual 4 feet by 8 feet raised beds, which are leased for $50 per year plus a $25.00 clean up deposit. If you would like to apply for a plot for 2016, please send a completed 2016 Plot Application and a check for $75 (made out to EagleVail Community Garden) to PO Box 2063, Avon, CO 81620. Each year, a number of plots open up, and we’ll contact you in January 2016 about any openings. Preference is given to Eagle Vail residents, but there are often plots left over for non-residents, who are also welcome. Plots are assigned on a first come, first served basis.
Corporate Plots
The corporate plots are 4 feet by 16 feet and are leased for $200 per year plus a $25.00 clean up deposit. These plots are specifically for local businesses in the Vail Valley, especially restaurants. If you would like to be added to the wait list for 2016, please send a completed Corporate Plot Application and a check for $225 (made out to EagleVail Community Garden) to PO Box 2063, Avon, CO 81620. We’ll hang onto your check and contact you in January 2015 about available plots. Each year, a number of plots open up. Plots are assigned on a first come, first served basis.
Demonstration Plots
If you are interested in adopting a demonstration plot for a season, please acquaint yourself with the goals, tasks, and terms below. Then fill in the Adopt a Bed application form and send it, along with a check for $50 made out to EagleVail Community Garden, to EagleVail Community Garden, PO Box 2063, Avon, CO 81620.
The goals of the demonstration area are as follows:
- To bring people together in the garden
- To promote collaboration in producing healthy food
- To teach people about gardening: e.g., the role of soil, water, and nutrients; organic growing techniques; high-altitude gardening
- To expand people’s knowledge of interesting or unusual vegetables
- To involve children in growing food
- To instill a sense of responsibility in those caring for the adopted bed
- To teach people how to harvest, clean, and cook the veggies grown
Some of the tasks involved in adopting a demo plot:
- Plan the bed’s plantings
- Prep the bed in spring with compost
- Plant and maintain the bed: watering, thinning, weeding, etc.
- Harvest with a purpose
- Give at least two hands-on demonstration workshops during the growing/harvesting season to the garden community
- Provide and maintain signage relevant to the purpose for the bed
- Break down the bed in the fall and prepare for the following spring: remove, chop, and compost all plants; remove any structures that have been added; cover bed with mulch
Terms & Expectations:
- Beds are only assigned for 1 year at a time – they do not automatically carry over each year.
- Each year, all plots will be entered into the application pool for reassignment.
- The individuals responsible for the bed must (1) participate in regular garden operations and adhere to the garden bylaws and rules and regulations, (2) provide financial resources for plot fees and seeds, (3) communicate plans and updates to the Garden Committee, and (4) submit a plot report—activities held, successes, challenges, and so on—to the Garden Committee by October 15.
