McRorie Plot Renewals - good idea?

Hi All,

Ever since I've been coordinating the garden plots, the most challenging aspect has been that I usually don't know when someone has stopped using their plot. Then I have to try and contact them, and sometimes step on people's toes when trying to find out about their status. Then there are those that say they want their plots but neglect them for long periods of time.

I would like suggestions on how this process could work more easily. It needs to be simple. One gardener suggested people needing to renew their "lease" each season. This would require gardeners to contact me (through email or phone) in Feb. and August to let me know that they want to continue gardening for the next season. If they didn't, their garden would be up for grabs. (This isn't something I would request from those who've been at the garden for many years.) I imagine this could get sticky AND it would put the responsibility on the gardeners rather than me. I appreciate that there is no charge for the garden plots, and that I don't have to deal with money (and I don't want to). However, there also seems to be a lackadaisicalness that goes along with it being free.

As more people are interested in gardening, I want to have the space being used to it's fullest. The interest came late this year and the garden is now full. Of course there is the communal plot that will be turned over to individual gardeners next season.

If you have any simple suggestions, I would appreciate hearing them. I'll post the final decision to all.

Thanks, Maura