From the Gardens Registrar: Eagle Heights Drive Renovation Disaster; Don’t Leave Without Saying Goodbye; Organic Pesticides; Refrigerator Pickles; This Weekend’s Workday

Hello Gardeners,

EAGLE HEIGHTS DRIVE – Yes, the reconstruction and repaving should have been finished already. Unfortunately, the work was done badly, and will have to be completely redone. No, I’m not making this up. This project will now stretch into the fall, at great inconvenience to everyone concerned. The new estimated completion date has not yet been announced.

LEAVING MADISON? – Just a reminder: if you’re leaving Madison to go off on new adventures this fall, please let me know you’re giving up your garden plot. You can’t take it with you. (Even if you’re not leaving town, please let me know if you’re through with your plot.)

Our garden weed juries are finding increasing numbers of garden plots that look abandoned. Don’t wait for me to send you nasty emails about your weeds. If you email me and tell me you’re leaving, I can transfer your plot to another gardener, who can plant garlic and prepare the garden for spring planting.

ORGANIC PESTICIDES – A number of gardeners have asked about organic sprays for killing insect pests. This is a link to a website with good information. But please be very careful with any pesticide – organic or not. Some of these are toxic, not only to the pests you want to eliminate, but to beneficial insects as well. These should be used as a last resort only, and as little as possible should be used. https://www.thespruce.com/common-organic-garden-pesticides-1402497

REFRIGERATOR PICKLES – If you’re over-run with cucumbers, consider making some into refrigerator pickles. They’re very little work, and quite good. Here’s a link to a very simple recipe. You could certainly add other vegetables, and/or spices, and you don’t have to use as much sugar as it calls for if you don’t like sweet pickles: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/230227/monas-easy-refrigerator-pickles/

WORKDAY – This weekend’s workday is scheduled for Sunday, August 27, 8am – 11am, at Eagle Heights. The task will be fruit plantation and weed area maintenance. Please bring gloves – you’ll be working around the raspberries and blackberries. Here’s the link to sign up: http://doodle.com/poll/3uewygcag4tur54b

Happy Gardening,

Kathryn