Community gardens or renting space.

I have no experience to share, other than our old city used to allow seniors a plot to garden in (but it was for free) ... but love the idea and possible “service” you are providing; especially with the vegetable growing aspect.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Great idea!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

no experience here… but it sure sounds like a wonderful idea that people love

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Your biggest problem there will be the liability. It all sounds benign enough. But, that liability thing can get real tricky.

“I was using my tiller and chopped my foot off and it’s your fault because you encourgaed me to do something I wasn’t qualified to do.”

“I’m allergic to almonds and I came home with a rash and it’s your fault.”

“I got a sunburn ‘cause I’m too stupid to put on sunblock, then I spilled hot coffee on my lap while I was picking my peppers.”

o.k. o.k. .... I’m supposed to be encourging you. Just make sure you find out about liability before you start renting. It might affect your rental fees.

Suppose there’s an opportunity to maybe do a little helping teaching (if you had the time) for a slightly higher price? renting some equipment/equipment service occasionally?

-- arborial reconfiguration specialist......Zone out....(USA 5)

I agree with Catspaw about liability: people have a hard time looking out for themselves and will blame even a blade of grass doe their mishaps!

Insurance is good as well a disclaimer of liability signed by the “clients”! Protect your a…! Nobody else will do it for you!

And I still think it is a great idea!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

Thanks for the input. Liability is also my biggest issue, people are sue crazy.

-- Central Valley California

they sue because they can—our court system has let it get completely out of control.
I don’t hear as many bizarre stories any more, though.. perhaps the judges are getting more rational. Maybe it’s the result of all those shows on TV where the judges are nasty and put the people in their place…. maybe they DO have a place on TV after all.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Or people are getting smarter about protecting their rear ends!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

we wouldn’t need to protect our butts if people didn’t want free $$$ for nothing.
“Oh.. I slipped on the ice .. I didn’t know it was slippery.” (ah ice = slippery)
“Oh.. I broke into your house to rob you and I cut my hand on some broken glass…. you’re fault”

the bizarre stories (obviously) drive me crazy. Think people think! . take responsibility for your own actions.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Quite right you are MsD

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

Ron, check out this link from the University of California Extension service (more Master gardeners) LOL
Community Garden Startup Guide
If you have adobe , here’s a PDF file with a:
sample contract

here is a “excerpt” from the article:
”Many landowners are worried about their liability for injuries that might occur at the garden. Therefore, you should include a simple “hold harmless” waiver in the lease and in gardener agreement forms. For more information on the lease, and the hold harmless waiver, see 8, “Signing a Lease”
Landowners of potential garden sites might be concerned about their liability should someone be injured while working in the garden. Your group should be prepared to offer the landowner a lease with a “hold harmless” waiver. This “hold harmless” waiver can simply state that should one of the gardeners be injured as a result of negligence on the part of another gardener, the landowner is “held harmless” and will not be sued. Each gardener should be made aware of this waiver and should be required to sign an agreement in order to obtain a plot in the community garden. A sample gardener agreement form is attached which your group can use as a model.

Once you have a lease signed by the landowner and liability insurance, you’re free to plan and plant your garden”

Hope this will help

-- Old Pharmer Phils Country Living Phorum - http://pharmerphil.proboards37.com