Being a good plot neighbour

Your plot shares sun, water and soil with the plots around it. Most disagreements in a community garden come from a few avoidable things.

Think about shade

Work out where the shadows fall before you plant anything tall. Across most of Australia the sun sits in the northern sky, so shadows fall to the south. Corn, climbing beans and staked tomatoes on the south edge of your plot can shade whoever is behind you, so plant them where the shadow lands on a path or your own bed, or check with that neighbour first.

Keep plants in your plot

Pumpkins and melons will happily wander across a path. Train them back, or grow them up a frame. Some plants, such as mint, horseradish and Jerusalem artichoke, spread underground and are hard to remove once established, so grow them in a tub or ask first. Each crop in this guide says whether it's likely to spread.

Deal with weeds before they seed

A weed that goes to seed becomes everyone's weed. Pull or cut it before it flowers, even if you don't have time for the rest of the plot.

Be careful with sprays

Spray drifts, and your neighbour may be growing organically or picking tomorrow's dinner. Check your garden's rules first, as many ban synthetic chemicals altogether. If a spray is allowed, use it on a still day and shield the plants next door.

Tell someone when you can't keep up

Life gets busy. If your plot is slipping, tell your coordinator early. Most gardens would much rather help or arrange cover than start a warning process.