From the Registrar: July 1, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

Garden jury: Due to the holiday, the garden jury will be moved to Sunday this week. There will be a garden jury at each garden this Sunday, 7/5 at 8 am. There will be two groups at EH and one at UH, each with four volunteers. The groups will meet at the sheds. Please consider volunteering for a jury. Reply to this email if you would like to sign up for Sunday. 

• The garden jury is a jury of peers that assesses plot conditions. The juries report plots that appear excessively weedy or abandoned. There are four gardeners on each jury. The weed juries also remove communal tools and carts left behind plots.

• Juries are scheduled every other weekend. Garden jury is counted as workday time. Gardeners can sign up for three jury sessions or combine jury time with alternative independent workday time for their three-hour workday requirement.

Pollinators: Keeping an organic garden provides a place without pesticides for pollinators to live. 

• This is an excellent resource from the UW about supporting pollinators in your garden: https://pollinators.wisc.edu/

• This site also has good information on pollinators: https://www.pollinator.org/pollinators.

Jumping worms: The term jumping worm refers to a number of species of earthworms in the genus Amynthas. These worms are invasive here and rapidly break down organic material. This makes the soil crumbly, and some plants, particularly native plants, can have difficulty growing in these conditions. See this DNR article for more information: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/jumpingWorm

Several years ago, jumping worms were discovered in our leaf mulch pile and have now spread throughout most of the gardens. Even if you have not seen any in your plot, it’s best not to transplant any plants out of the gardens to avoid introducing them elsewhere.

Although jumping worms pose some problems, don’t let them discourage you from gardening! Fortunately, we have not had many reports from gardeners about issues. There is research being done, and for now, the top priority is to try to avoid spreading them out of the gardens.


Thanks, and happy gardening,

Lily

Maintenance request form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyjHBH_xBH229AVwmqTE-2L3znGrLwn3TNJfw2ri9T01MMfA/viewform

Previous emails: https://eagleheightsgardens.blogspot.com/

Gardening resources: https://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardens/organic-growing

From the Registrar: June 26, 2026

Hello Gardeners,


Workday opportunity: There will be a workday at the Peace Garden at Eagle’s Wing on Tuesday, June 30th, from 2 to 5 pm. Volunteers will meet at the Community Center. The workday will be for weeding and path cleanup. Seven volunteers are needed.

 
Parasitized bean beetle larvae: The parasitic wasps have been released in the plots of gardeners that volunteered to host them, and soon we will begin to see them attacking the bean beetles. Rather than the live, yellow larvae of the Mexican bean beetles, the larvae parasitized by the wasps are brown. Please don’t crush the parasitized larvae if you find them on your beans! These are exactly what we want to see, and more wasps will hatch from them.

 
Creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides): This is an extremely invasive plant with a purple flower that is currently blooming. While it does have a nice flower, it will quickly take over. If you see this flower in your garden, please remove it right away and don’t allow it to flower or go to seed. No parts of this plant should go in the weed piles. It should be bagged and put in the trash. Photo here: Weed Guide

Thanks, and happy gardening,

Lily

Maintenance request form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyjHBH_xBH229AVwmqTE-2L3znGrLwn3TNJfw2ri9T01MMfA/viewform

Previous emails: https://eagleheightsgardens.blogspot.com/

Gardening resources: https://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardens/organic-growing

From the Registrar: June 24, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

Workday opportunities: 

• There will be a workday at University Houses Gardens (UH) this Saturday, June 27th from 12:30-3:30. The workday will be for weeding and mulching. Volunteers should wear long sleeves and bring gloves. Please email me if you’re interested, and spots will be assigned in the order of replies.
• If you are interested in an independent workday, please contact me. Also, if you are not sure if you have done a workday yet or not this season, email me and I will look it up for you.

Mexican Bean Beetles: There have been sightings of bean beetles at University Houses Gardens. The Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis) is in the same family as ladybugs, and the adults resemble an orange ladybug. The larvae are yellow and spiny: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mexican-bean-beetle-vegetables/

As we have in previous years, we have ordered parasitic wasps (Pediobius faveolatus) for control. I will distribute the wasps in the Gardens tomorrow. Let me know if you have noticed bean beetles on your bean plants, and if you're willing to host some of the wasps in your plot. The wasps MUST be placed near confirmed bean beetles/larvae for them to survive when they emerge. These wasps are very small and don’t sting people.


Weed and pest reminders: Some varieties of invasive weeds are beginning to flower. It’s important to remove these before they produce seeds that can spread. Please look in your plot for Canada Thistle and Bindweed plants and remove them now: 

• Canada thistle has a light purple flower: Weed Guide
• Field Bindweed has a small flower like a morning glory that’s white to light pink: Weed Guide
• Potato beetles are beginning to spread in the gardens. Please remember to check your plants and remove insects, larvae, and eggs to prevent them from spreading into neighboring plots. https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/colorado-potato-beetle

Thanks, and happy gardening,

Lily

Maintenance request form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyjHBH_xBH229AVwmqTE-2L3znGrLwn3TNJfw2ri9T01MMfA/viewform

Previous emails: https://eagleheightsgardens.blogspot.com/

Gardening resources: https://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardens/organic-growing

From the Registrar: June 17, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

Workday opportunities: There will be two workday opportunities this weekend. 

• There will be a workday at University Houses Gardens (UH) this Saturday, June 20th from 8:30-11:30. The group will meet at the UH garden shed at 8:30 am. The workday will be for weeding and mulching. Volunteers should wear long sleeves and bring gloves.

• There will be a workday to help the People’s Farm clear weeds from their area adjacent to Eagle Heights Community Gardens on Saturday, June 20th from 9 am to 12 pm. The People’s Farm is a student-run organization, and we have offered volunteer help to clean up this area. Workday credit will be given for this workday. Volunteers should wear long sleeves and bring gloves. Their plots are North of the tree island: https://eagleheightsgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/EH-UH-redrawn-2026.pdf

*Respond to this email if you’re interested in either of these workdays, and spots will be assigned in the order of replies.


Weed guide: This weed guide is a new resource for gardeners to help identify and deal with common weeds: https://eagleheightsgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Eagle-Heights-Community-Gardens-Weed-Guide-final.pdf I will continue to update it throughout the season. It can be found on the website under “Gardening How-tos".


Theft: Unfortunately, there are sometimes reports of theft in the gardens. Often, vegetables or equipment are taken. Please remember not to enter any plots besides your own, even if you think a plot might be abandoned. Contact me with any questions about plots or borders.
Our gardens are a popular walking place, and this does leave them more open to theft. It’s helpful to get to know your neighbors and keep an eye on each other’s plots.


Strawbale gardening demonstration at EH Gardens: The Edible Landscapes Committee (a Campus organization) will be holding an event called “The Magic of Strawbale Gardening” this Saturday, June 20th from 1-2 pm. The event will be next to the shed at the entrance to EH Gardens. Everyone is welcome to attend to learn about strawbale gardening.

Thanks, and happy gardening,

Lily

Maintenance request form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyjHBH_xBH229AVwmqTE-2L3znGrLwn3TNJfw2ri9T01MMfA/viewform

Previous emails: https://eagleheightsgardens.blogspot.com/

Gardening resources: https://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardens/organic-growing

From the Registrar: June 10, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

 
Please use leaf mulch! Our leaf mulch piles are supposed to be used by July 1st of each year due to DNR regulations. So please, use leaf mulch on your plots. It will be great for your soil too! The leaf mulch available at both gardens is a great resource. Mulch helps the soil retain moisture and regulate temperature. Mulch suppresses weed growth, which means less time spent on weeding, and more efficient gardening. It also helps prevent erosion and improves soil health over time as it degrades and adds organic matter to the soil.

 
Artemisia Annua: One of the major weeds that invades the Gardens is Artemisia Annua (also known as Sweet Wormwood or Sweet Annie). It has a strong aromatic smell and spreads easily. If you have this in your garden, please pull it out before it produces seeds. Images can be seen here: https://identify.plantnet.org/k-world-flora/species/Artemisia%20annua%20L./data

Insect pests: We have many insect pests in the gardens. The best way to manage them organically is to be vigilant. I try to keep everyone posted about pest sightings and control methods. The best option is almost always to hand-pick the insects off and dump them in soapy water. The gardens are organic, so chemical pesticides are not allowed for insect pests.

 
June Garden Committee meeting: This month’s committee meeting will be today, Wednesday, June 10th at 7 pm. The Gardens are run by a volunteer committee, and all gardeners are welcome to participate. The committee meets via Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 pm. Join via this link: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/92582024098?pwd=Uy9iQXZMK1dzNmZJRFY2c09xakdTdz09

Thanks, and happy gardening,

Lily

Maintenance request form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyjHBH_xBH229AVwmqTE-2L3znGrLwn3TNJfw2ri9T01MMfA/viewform

Previous emails: https://eagleheightsgardens.blogspot.com/

Gardening resources: https://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardens/organic-growing

From the Registrar: June 3, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

There will be a garden jury at each garden this Saturday, 6/6 at 8 am. There will be two groups at EH and one at UH, each with four volunteers. The groups will meet at the sheds. Please reply to this email if you would like to volunteer for a garden jury.

• The garden juries are small groups of gardeners who walk through the gardens and report plots that appear weedy or abandoned. There are four gardeners on each jury. The weed juries also remove communal tools and carts left behind plots.

• Juries are scheduled every other week on Saturday mornings at 8 am. Garden jury is counted as workday time. Gardeners can sign up for three jury sessions or combine jury time with alternative independent workday time for their three-hour workday requirement.

Thanks, and happy gardening,

Lily

Maintenance request form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyjHBH_xBH229AVwmqTE-2L3znGrLwn3TNJfw2ri9T01MMfA/viewform

Previous emails: https://eagleheightsgardens.blogspot.com/

Gardening resources: https://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardens/organic-growing

From the Registrar: June 3, 2026

Hello Gardeners,


Workday opportunities: There are some upcoming workday opportunities:

• There will be a workday at Eagle Heights Gardens (EH) this Saturday, June 6th from 9-12. The group will meet at the EH garden shed at 9 am. The workday will be for weeding and mulching. Volunteers should wear long sleeves and bring gloves.

• There will be a workday at University Houses Gardens (UH) this Sunday, June 7th from 8-11. The group will meet at the UH garden shed at 8 am. The workday will be for weeding and mulching. Volunteers should wear long sleeves and bring gloves.

*Respond to this email if you’re interested in either of these workdays, and spots will be assigned in the order of replies.


A few reminders: 

• The water in the gardens is safe for watering plants but is not good for drinking.

• Please remember to return communal tools and carts to the shed each day after using them.

Colorado potato beetles: Potato beetles have started to appear for the season! Plants may be hosting eggs right now on the underside of the leaves. This is a good time to check your plants and destroy the eggs before they hatch. Once the eggs hatch, plants can be quickly defoliated if there are many larvae. The best method for controlling the eggs, larvae, and adult beetles in your plot is to pick them off and dump them in soapy water. Dealing with them now and throughout the season will help reduce the number in the gardens overall.

Potato beetles will eat the leaves of anything in the Solanaceae family, including tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and tomatillos, but most of the damage we see is on potato plants.

The link below from the University of Minnesota Extension has some good pictures of the beetles at each stage of life. Please remember that only organic control methods are allowed.
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/colorado-potato-beetles


Trapping voles and mice: Snap traps are now allowed in the gardens to control voles an mice. See the guidelines below regarding their use (please note the update that is highlighted).

• Traps must be placed inside a piece of PVC pipe that is 2-4 inches in diameter and at least 12 inches long to protect other wildlife like birds (and people). Covered, bird-safe mousetraps can also be purchased and are acceptable.
• Traps should be elevated off the ground to protect toads (a ramp can be added for voles/mice).
• Traps must be located in the interior of a plot, two feet from any plot borders.
• Only snap-traps are permitted. Sticky traps are NOT permitted.
• Gardeners that use snap traps assume responsibility for safely setting them up and regularly checking them. Gardeners must also safely dispose of any trapped voles or mice in the designated area by the weed pile or in an area of their plot visible to hawks and other predators.
• Traps are only permitted in garden plots. They may not be placed in common areas or anywhere in the University Apartments areas.

Thanks, and happy gardening,

Lily

Maintenance request form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyjHBH_xBH229AVwmqTE-2L3znGrLwn3TNJfw2ri9T01MMfA/viewform

Previous emails: https://eagleheightsgardens.blogspot.com/

Gardening resources: https://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardens/organic-growing