London City Hall Update
London City Hall will reopen tomorrow, Thursday, May 16, beginning at 8:30 a.m. for all in-person services. The London Fire Department and London Hydro have completed work to resolve today’s electrical issue.
The official website for the City of London, Ontario
By signing the garden rental contract, gardeners agree to the following rules. By adhering to these rules, the City creates an inclusive and thriving community gardens program that benefits all participants. Monthly garden inspections, completed by City Staff, will ensure all gardeners are following these rules.
Plant Selection
It is strictly prohibited to plant cannabis/marijuana, or any species listed as invasive or as a weed by the Ontario Invasive Plant Council or the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This helps maintain the ecological balance and overall well-being of the parks.
It is acceptable to plant perennials for food production, as long as they are not woody species (trees or shrubs).
Plot Maintenance
It is expected that gardeners are in their gardens during the month of May and have started to do some work (working of ground, weeding, planting) in their plot by the long weekend in May. The first inspection will take place immediately following the long weekend in order to determine if there are any abandoned plots that can be reassigned.
Gardeners are responsible for and expected to use the entire area of the plot they rent and must keep plots neat and tidy. Gardeners are expected to visit their plots at least twice per week and continually weed and maintain their plot until the end of the season.
Garden plots cannot extend beyond the borders of the plot, including into the pathways, into neighbouring plots, or outside the garden boundary. Control of all perennials to prevent spreading is expected. Delineations between plots must be maintained.
If temporary fencing is used around gardens, the grass and weeds growing up and through the fence must be regularly removed.
The gardens are to be used for gardening only. The City of London is not responsible for lost or stolen tools or plants.
Yard Waste and Composting
Yard waste must be bagged in paper yard waste bags (supplied by the gardeners) and be placed for pickup in designated locations only. Yard waste cannot be left in a pile anywhere within communal areas. Yard waste pickup schedules will be posted on garden bulletin boards and can be found on our collection calendar page.
Personal composters are permitted as long as they are kept within the plot boundaries, are cared for, and do not attract wildlife.
Garden Structures
Gardeners are not allowed to build any permanent structures within or around their plots. Any temporary structures should not exceed a height of six feet or be made of rebar or sharp metal. Fencing materials used must be safe and secure to allow proper maintenance by Parks Operations around the plots. Gardeners are discouraged from using brightly coloured fence materials such as orange plastic snow fence. When replacing fencing more natural coloured fencing is encouraged. ALL fencing must be maintained within the plot boundaries so maintenance/mowing around the plot can occur. Any fencing that falls outside the plot boundary or interferes with mowing will be removed without notice. Padlocks and other locking devices are not allowed.
All structures and fencing are to be removed at the end of the season. If approved, gardeners can store materials in a neat pile within the garden plot.
Code of Conduct
The City of London R-Zone Policy is in effect within all Community Gardens: Take responsibility for your actions and respect people, animals, plants, and property while using City facilities, programs, and parks. Report inappropriate activities to City of London Staff. For more information, please visit www.london.ca/rzone.
The following behaviours are prohibited in London Community Gardens:
• Being disorderly, intrusive, rude, or threatening
• Damaging or vandalizing plants, equipment, and/or property
• Taking flowers or produce without permission from the plot owner
• Selling flowers or produce at the garden
• Smoking or vaping in or within 9 meters of a park amenity (including a garden)
• Using speakers for any purpose, including speakerphones
• Driving on pathways
• Drinking alcohol in parks including at community gardens
Reporting a Problem/Issue
If you are being threatened or witness criminal activity call 9-1-1.
Report all maintenance issues to the Service London Portal at www.service.london.ca. These would include reporting of broken taps or hoses, empty water tanks, garbage, vandalism, etc.
To report issues related to homeless individuals in distress contact London Cares at (519) 667-2273 (CARE).
To contact the Community Garden Coordinator with non-emergency issues email communitygardens@london.ca or call (519) 661-2489 ext. 5336. Your call and email will be answered Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.