renting out garden plots

zukgod · #1 03/03/08, 08:03 PM

We are thinking of renting out garden plots to city folks that don't have the room for a garden. Has anyone ever tried this? Thanks for any help you may give.

rkintn · #2 03/03/08, 08:14 PM

That sounds like a great idea! I would definitely rent one. I have a 12x12 raised bed I put in here in town but I really want something so much bigger! How much would you charge for renting a plot?

zukgod · #3 03/03/08, 08:18 PM

We are thinking of $50 for a season with about a 10x40 bed we have not decided on the size yet though, it may get larger. We are in Washington state so a bit of a drive for ya. =-).

rkintn · #4 03/03/08, 08:27 PM

I still think it's a great idea! I would definitely rent from you if I were closer

SpringCrkAromas · #5 03/03/08, 08:29 PM

Lots of sue happy people, hope you have good insurance or someone could end up with more than a small garden plot of your land.
Jill

Old Vet · #6 03/03/08, 08:33 PM

In Pusaski County Arkansas the county does this. If you are not far out of the city you can do this. Just set up lots and fence them and let anyone have them to do what they want to do to them. Do not atempt to raise anobodys else guarden even if they don't have enough time or gumpdion to do it right.

zukgod · #7 03/03/08, 08:36 PM

We have insurance for our farm already and would have to get some extra IF we decided to do this, we would of course also have a Hold Harmless paper for them to sign.

SpringCrkAromas · #8 03/03/08, 08:59 PM

ok since you have the liability covered I can tell you I live 20 miles from a pretty large city and right off one of the major hiways is an area of maybe ten acres that is divided into garden plots. In the spring and summer there is never a day when you drive that road that you dont see people out tending their rented gardens. I have no idea what they charge to rent the plots but they fill them up every year. If you have the unused land to do it, it might be worth a try. Good luck.
Jill

TiaD · #9 03/03/08, 09:06 PM

your price sounds about right - the city I live in rents out garden plots every year, and a seasonal plot is $48 and is 10x40 in size. Where in Washington state are you? If you are close enough, I would certainly consider it.

alpha phi · #10 03/03/08, 09:07 PM

Sounds great!, I live out in the country...yet don't have nearly enough area for a good garden.
You could sell seeds, started plants, tools, ect. as extras too!

zukgod · #11 03/03/08, 09:41 PM

I am in Olympia, Wa we just can't decide if having people at our home all the time is worth it. Selling extra things like seeds and started plants is a great idea, I actually have a good friend about 1 mile down the road that has a nursery, so I could prob send him some business as well. sounds like fun.

donsgal · #12 03/03/08, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zukgod

We are thinking of renting out garden plots to city folks that don't have the room for a garden. Has anyone ever tried this? Thanks for any help you may give.

Depending on how "hands on" you are going to be. Resign yourself to the fact that you are going to have to finish what other people start. Once folks realize how much work a garden is, or that it takes time away from their other summer-fun activities, etc., some of the garden plots will be neglected. You have to figure out if you are willing to let them wither and die or if you are going to take over. You might want to write some terms and conditions into the contract for the plot allowing you to do maintenance/upkeep etc., and either charge them for it, or just cancel the contract if things get too out of hand (the plot is abandoned).

donsgal

How Do I · #13 03/03/08, 10:52 PM

Another consideration is supplemental water. Is it going to be included in the contract?

zukgod · #14 03/04/08, 12:03 AM

We planned on having to supply water, which we have a well and seem to have plenty of water, but the extra consumption is a concern. I kind of assumed that a bunch of folks would just let there garden get over run with weeds. I don't plan to do any work for them, if they let everything go to seed that will be there problem. Once the season is over I will simply till it all back in for fertilizer, or pick and can what they have left. All great ideas.

donsgal · #15 03/04/08, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zukgod

We planned on having to supply water, which we have a well and seem to have plenty of water, but the extra consumption is a concern. I kind of assumed that a bunch of folks would just let there garden get over run with weeds. I don't plan to do any work for them, if they let everything go to seed that will be there problem. Once the season is over I will simply till it all back in for fertilizer, or pick and can what they have left. All great ideas.

I am not trying to discourage you because I think it is a wonderful, wonderful idea. I hate to sound so negative, but I just want to mention the things that come to my mind that might be a problem.

There is going to be a lot of extra wear and tear on your well pump. Unfortunately, those things don't last forever and they are expensive to replace. Just think about this when figuring out a fee for the garden plots. Also, if your well is not certified by the DNR, you might want to make sure that you let the people know that the water is not for drinking. I know that sounds silly, but here in Missouri, if you are providing drinking water to more than 25 people then you need a commercial well, and that is a headache I wouldn't want to have to deal with. LOL A lot of this depends on where you are and what the laws are there and how close they monitor stuff like that.

You might want to think about putting in a water catchment system to help offset some of the work that the well will have to do, especially if you get a fair amount of rainfall where you area. Even a few rain barrels under your down spouts will help a little bit.

Now one other thing. Think about a bathroom facility too. People are going to be working out there and sooner or later they're going to have to go to the bathroom. Do you really want them traipsing through your house? Especially when they are dirty and muddy? methinks not. Therefore, you might want to look into renting/buying a port-a-potty to put on site for these situations. And, as a nice "customer service" feature, I'd also recommend a nice outdoor sink so that people an wash off their beets and carrots and such before taking them home to eat - not to mention their hands! LOL

You might even shoot an email to localharvest.org and ask them if they have any recommendations or advice that would help you. It never hurts to talk with people who have BTDT (been there, done that), for tips and pointers and ideas of what to look out for.

It really is a wonderful idea!

donsgal

EDDIE BUCK · #16 03/04/08, 12:54 AM

I like the idea and hope it works out. Have you thought about what would happen if one renter harvests anothers veggies.

Then what? If I could I would try to have those plots as far apart as I could, but if thats not far enough apart. I would install a game camera that could watch them. Just my 2 cent. Also I would probably require a deposit that would be given back at the end of the year, just in case something did happen. Good luck, Eddie

sammyd · #17 03/04/08, 01:37 AM

My folks have rented plots from a city and from local farmers. They have had good experiences both ways. I do not know what they were charged.
You should probably sit down with your insurance guy and maybe a lawyer. Sucks that it needs to be done but with a lot of attitudes around today I believe it should be.
You should have a contract with stuff spelled out such as abandonment, your responsibilities in case of theft etc. Then there's issues of chemical use by your renters affecting others or even your gardens.

As for the water isssue, it will surprise you just how much your electric bill goes up. We share our well with the neighbor and he watered a lot last year. We didn't. But the electric bill went up quite a bit over the dry months. Maybe having rainwater available but nothing from your well. Or a set amount for each weekly.

Quint · #18 03/04/08, 01:55 AM

My parents rented out some prime garden spots for years. I don't remember how much they got for them. Most of the folks that rented them did so for years. Mostly older folks as I remember. The people had to keep the gardens neat and they also had to cut the grass as part of the deal. They had to bing their own water since there wasn't any available at the sites.

Not something they got rich at. Mostly just a way to keep the grass cut without having to drag a mower all over creation.

Liese · #19 03/04/08, 05:20 AM

In Britain these are called allotments, I'd just google or blackle that and see what folks/towns are offering and charging. Never saw toilet facilitites offered nor water but then with the consistent rains it wasn't necessary if garden mulched - maybe in WA state you have similar enough weather? Theft was usually at night by teens as pranks so since these will be nearby rather than off in some field all alone I can't think there would be much trouble except by deer perhaps

. Allotments are a great idea to me and nice to see here in the States. Good luck, hope it's lots of fun!

canfossi · #20 03/04/08, 05:21 AM

Sounds like a great idea, yes make sure your fully insured. A lot of people would love to take you to the cleaners if things didn't work out for them. Good luck! Chris