From the Gardens Registrar: WORKDAY OBLIGATIONS; IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW; WINTER SQUASH RECIPES

Hello Gardeners,

WORKDAY OBLIGATION – Garden workdays will continue into November, depending on the weather. If you have not done your workday for the year, you need to either sign up as soon as you can, or else pay the “no workday” fee, which is $16 if you have a small plot, or $32 if you have a large plot. If you are paying the fee, please write a check, made payable to the Division of University Housing, and send it to Eagle Heights Community Center c/o Gardens, 611 Eagle Heights, Madison, WI, 53705. (Or you may drop the check off at the Community Center.) Please include a note with your plot number and an explanation of what the check is for. I will let you know when I receive your check.

If you’re not sure whether or not you’ve done your workday, just email me and I’ll check for you. Please note that December 1 is the last day to fulfill the workday obligation or pay the no-workday fee. If you do not do the workday or pay the fee by December 1, you will lose your status as a returning gardener for next year, which means you aren’t guaranteed to be able to renew the plot you had this year. If you do still want to renew, you’ll have to pay the no workday fee plus a late-fee penalty - $10 for a small plot or $20 for a large plot, plus, of course, the plot fee. 

GARDENS CLOSING NOVEMBER 27 – Please note that the gardens will close for the season on November 27. On that day, we’ll clean and put away the tools for the season. The gardens will not reopen until March 25.

2017 APPLICATIONS – Applications for next year will be available on (or around) December 15. If you’re renewing for next year, be sure to get your application and payment in to us by the deadline, February 15, 2017. Fees for large plots will remain the same as this year, $32 for students, and $42 for non-students. Small plots will go up a little – $20 for students, or $25 for non-students. (Note: if you have two small plots, you’ll pay the large plot fee.) “No workday” fees and late fees will also change.

WINTER SQUASH RECIPES – Late October is an excellent time to enjoy a winter squash soup or casserole. Here are some recipes:  http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/popular-ingredients/squash-recipes

WORKDAY – And speaking of workdays, we just happen to have one scheduled for this Saturday, October 29, 9am – Noon. The task will be path maintenance. There will be thistles, so definitely bring gloves. Here’s the link to sign up: http://doodle.com/poll/8rq8wh57g9vfu2b7

Happy gardening, everyone,

Kathryn