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

 

From the Registrar: May 19, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

Workday opportunities: There are three upcoming workday opportunities:

• There will be a workday at Eagle Heights Gardens (EH) this Saturday, May 23rd from 9 am-12 pm. 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) next Monday, May 25th from 8-11 am. 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.

• There will be a garden jury at each garden this Saturday, 5/23 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.

*Email me if you’re interested in any of these workdays, and spots will be assigned in the order of replies.

Wood chip update: As most of you are probably aware, we have run into a lot of issues getting enough wood chip deliveries to the gardens. We will begin accepting wood chips that may contain black walnut to maintain a supply for gardeners. Black walnut trees produce juglone, a chemical that can inhibit the growth of other plants. We have avoided them in the past, but this has prevented us from getting enough chips. Wood chips containing black walnut work for paths. Gardeners that want to put wood chips directly around sensitive plants could opt to age the wood chips for six months in their plots before use. I’ve made some requests and hope to get deliveries soon.

 
Standing water: Please turn containers upside down in your plot so they don’t collect rain. Standing water in plots will increase the mosquito population in the gardens by providing a place for them to lay eggs. With recent rains, there are many containers full of water throughout 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: May 13, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

Workday opportunity: There will be a workday at Eagle Heights Gardens (EH) this Saturday, May 16th from 9-12. The group will meet at the EH garden shed at 9 am. The workday will be for weeding and mulching. Ten volunteers are needed. Volunteers should wear long sleeves and bring gloves. Email me if you’re interested, and spots will be assigned in the order of replies.

 
Plant sale this Sunday! The warm weather plant sale with Blue Moon Community Farm will be this Sunday, May 17th at Eagle Heights Gardens by the entrance from 10 am to 12 pm. This sale is for all gardeners at EH and UH gardens.

 
Here is their plant list: https://www.bluemooncommunityfarm.com/media/site/364a87f158-1773592094/blue-moon-seedlist-v2.pdf 

• Plants are $4.00 per unit (pot or 4-pack)
• Volume discount (mix and match) 6 for $22.00, 12 for $42.00, flat of 18 for $60.00
• They accept Cash, Checks, Credit Cards, and Venmo

*If you would like to purchase some row cover for your transplants, please email me.

Garden juries: 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 from plots.

 
This year, rather than a full-season time-commitment, garden jury meetings will be scheduled like workdays, with sign-ups sent out a few days in advance. Juries will be 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.

 
Cancellations: You can receive a refund if you cancel your plot assignment by the third Friday in May, which is this Friday 5/15. Cancelled plots will be reassigned to new applicants.

 

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: May 7, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

Workday opportunities: There will be a workday at University Houses Gardens (UH) this Sunday, May 10th 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. Fifteen volunteers are needed. Volunteers should wear long sleeves and bring gloves. Email me if you’re interested, and spots will be assigned in the order of replies.

Canada Thistle: We are hearing a lot of reports of Canada Thistle thriving in the gardens this spring. Please look around your plot for thistles and pull up any plants you see. They have not started to bloom yet, but they will soon. Once they bloom, they will go to seed and spread. Canada Thistles are very invasive here and are not only a problem for the Community Gardens, but for the neighboring Nature Preserve and Biocore Prairie. There are some photos of Canada Thistles here to help with identification: https://blogs.cornell.edu/weedid/canada-thistle/

Let me know if you are interested in being a thistle monitor for an independent workday. Thistle monitors keep the Canada Thistle at bay in the communal areas between weeding workdays. Volunteers work independently for the season to pull thistle from areas like the blackberry patches and borders for a total of three hours (this time can be divided up).

Tick reminder: Remember to check for ticks after spending time in the gardens. There have already been a number of reported ticks found this season. More information on ticks can be found here: https://wisconsin-ticks.russell.wisc.edu/wisconsin-ticks/

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