From the Gardens Registrar: Where’s the Water at University Houses?; Where’s the Leaf Pile at Eagle Heights?; Horticulture Day This Saturday at West Ag Station; Food Preservation Presentation; Workday

Hello Gardeners,

WATER AT UNIVERSITY HOUSES GARDENS – The water has been off at University Houses Gardens since last Saturday. We did not turn it off, and we were not having any serious water/plumbing problems as far as we know. We are still trying to find out who turned it off, and why. We hope the water will be restored soon.

WHERE’S THE LEAF PILE? – Due to DNR regulations, we were required to remove the leaf pile from Eagle Heights by the end of August. The last leaves have now been hauled to the University Houses Gardens, and they will have plenty of leaves for quite a while. We will get leaves again at Eagle Heights this fall, when the Village of Shorewood starts collecting them again. In the meantime, we do still have lots of bark mulch at Eagle Heights.

HORTICULTURE DAY SAT 8/12 @ WEST MADISON AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION -

At this family-friendly field day, visitors can tour the station’s vineyard, vegetable garden and extensive flowerbeds, and participate in a taste evaluation of tomatoes, peppers and other station-grown produce. On display will be more than 175 cultivars of New Guinea Impatiens and SunPatiens being evaluated in full sun this year, as well as 100 other soon-to-be-released cultivars of bedding plants. Visitors can also see All-America Selections vegetables and nearly 1000 perennial ornamentals. UW-Madison and UW-Extension experts will share information and answer questions about pollinators and beneficial insects, insect pests, plant diseases, turfgrass, ways to extend the growing season for vegetables, and general gardening. West Madison Agricultural Research Station is located at 8502 Mineral Point Road, Verona, Wisconsin. This event will be 10am – 2pm, and is free.

FOOD PRESERVATION PRESENTATION – Deb Neubauer, from UW-Extension, will give a presentation on food preservation and safety at Pinney Library, 204 Cottage Grove Road on Madison’s east side, on Thursday, August 10, from 5:30pm.  – 7:00pm. The event is sponsored by Allis Heritage Community Gardens and the Pinney Library.  Light garden refreshments will be served. No registration required and no charge for the program.

WORKDAY – This weekend’s workday will be Saturday, August 12, 8am – 11, at University Houses Gardens. The task will be path maintenance. The workday crews have been doing an excellent job on the paths this summer. We’re more than halfway through the garden season now – don’t put off signing up for a workday. Here’s the link to sign up: http://doodle.com/poll/c86nf6fp5xg7fvd8 As always, gloves, a hat, and water are very useful. (especially if the garden water is still turned off, which we hope it isn’t.)

Happy gardening,

Kathryn