From the Registrar: March 12, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

 

Welcome to the Gardens for the 2026 growing season! 

Please note these important upcoming dates:

 
Opening day in the Gardens: Saturday April 4th
Seed Fair: Saturday April 11th from 9 am to 11 am at the Community Center

 
Opening day: Shared tools and carts will be available, and the portable toilets will be delivered to both gardens before opening day. Parking on Eagle Heights Drive will allow 4-hour parking for the Gardens on the south side of the street. Parking will be available in the small lot by University Houses Gardens. The water will not be on until late April/early May. Orientations for new gardeners will begin on opening day. A schedule of various dates and times will be available soon for sign-ups.

Seed Fair: Please join us for the annual seed fair at the Community Center on Saturday, April 11th from 9 AM to 11 AM! Each plot can choose 15 free packets of seeds. This is a fun community event and a great way to get your garden started. I hope to see you all there!
If you are interested in volunteering to help at the Seed Fair, please let me know and I will assign available spots. The volunteering time commitment will be from 8:15 AM to Noon.

Planting Season: Even if it is warm on opening day, there will still be a danger of frost into May that could kill many plants. Mid-April is typically when a lot of cool-weather plants go in. Refer to this guide for planting dates:
http://eagleheightsgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/vegetable_planting_guide.pdf

If you want to start cleaning up and preparing your garden before the planting season begins, try not to walk on or disturb the soil too much while it’s still muddy. This will compact the soil, which is not good for plants. Marking your paths early in the season to avoid walking in the planting areas can help keep your soil healthy.

 
Start on page 38 of the garden manual for information on preparing your garden: https://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/garden_manual_v_1.12.pdf

Garden waste guidelines: Many plots will need cleaning in the spring. Please make a note of where different waste should go in the Gardens so we can keep things running well: 

• WEEDS/PLANT MATTER: Go in the weed piles. *Dirt, trash, and sticks cannot be put in the weed piles.
• TRASH: Goes in the trash dumpsters. If weeds and plants are put in the dumpsters, we may receive a fine.
• STICKS: Go in the stick barrels/piles. These piles are for gardeners to take sticks as plant supports. Please do not take sticks out of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve surrounding the Gardens.

Plots available: We still have some openings at both EH and UH gardens. If you know anyone that is interested in having a plot this season, please share the application with them, or refer them to me with questions. https://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardeners/plot-applications/

Thanks, and happy gardening,    

Lily    

From the Registrar: November 14, 2025

Hello Gardeners,


Check in about your plot status: This is a good time to check in with any questions regarding your garden plot. Garden applications for 2026 will be available beginning December 15, 2025. All returning gardeners must apply no later than February 15, 2026 to renew a plot or move to a new location. I will send another reminder email when applications open.

Before December 15th 2025, you can still add a secondary gardener to your plot so that person is eligible to renew the plot for 2026. If you’re unsure who is listed on your plot for this season, I can look this up for you.

Weed pile reminder: Please remember that no trash can be left in the weed piles. This includes any row cover and landscaping material. These must go in the dumpster.

If you have any questions about the renewal application process, please email me.

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: October 31, 2025

Hello Gardeners,

 
Leaf mulch: We have started receiving leaf mulch deliveries, and we expect quite a bit more at both gardens. This is a good time to add mulch to your plot. It’s not too late to plant garlic either. If you haven’t grown garlic before, it’s quite easy:
http://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/garden_manual_v_1.12.pdf (page 80)

 
Parking: The parking will remain open on Eagle Heights Drive until November 15th. If it snows before that and UW Apartments Grounds has to plow, we may lose the parking signs earlier. Parking at University Houses Gardens will also remain available. Please remember that Lot Z next to Eagle Heights Drive is not available for gardeners at any time. You may get a ticket from the University if you park there.

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: October 20, 2025

Hello Gardeners,

Water off for the season this Wednesday: The water systems at both gardens will be shut down this Wednesday. If you would like to fill up some containers to put in your plot for watering cool-weather crops, please do this before Wednesday morning.

Frost warning: The weather forecast is showing frost starting this week. Here is some information on the frost-tolerance of some of the more commonly grown crops in the gardens:

Plants that cannot survive a frost include: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash (winter or summer), beans, and cucumbers.

Plants that can survive a frost include: Cabbage, kale, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, peas, lettuce, beets, carrots, chard, onions, spinach, and radishes. *While these are frost-tolerant, they will not survive prolonged freezing temperatures. *

A frost is possible with a temperature under 36° F. A freeze can happen under 32° F, and a hard freeze under 28° F. If you hope to prolong the growing season of any of your plants, row cover can provide some protection from colder temperatures.

Leaf mulch: The leaves are falling late this year, so we are not expecting deliveries of leaf mulch for another couple of weeks.

If you are done with your plot: If you are finished with your garden plot for the season and you don’t plan to renew, please let me know. There are a number of gardeners that are still looking for workday opportunities, and preparing vacant plots for the fall is something volunteers can work on.

Portable Toilets: The portable toilets will be picked up from both gardens next week, and they will be brought back in March of next year.

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: October 10, 2025

Hello Gardeners,

Workday opportunity: There will be a workday at University Houses Gardens on Monday, October 13th from 9 am-12 pm. Two volunteers are needed. The workday will be for painting tools and plot markers. Volunteers should wear clothes that they don’t mind getting paint on. Please let me know if you’re interested in this workday. I will assign spots in the order I receive replies.

Putting your garden to bed: It’s time to begin putting the gardens to bed for the season. You can start by pulling out plants and weeds and taking them to the weed pile. Spreading mulch over your plot will help protect it from erosion and add organic matter to the soil. We hope to begin receiving loads of leaf mulch from Shorewood soon. Try to avoid stepping on the beds when you remove plants, so you do not compact the soil. Remove as much dirt as possible from the roots of plants before taking them to the weed pile.

Garlic planting: Mid to late October is the best time to plant garlic in Wisconsin. It’s possible to plant it in the spring, but it won’t do as well. If you plant it in the fall, it can begin to grow right away in the spring and take advantage of a longer growing season. You can get garlic cloves for planting at a garden store or a Farmers' Market. It’s better not to plant garlic from the grocery store unless you can be certain it hasn’t been treated in any way. There is some helpful information on planting garlic in the garden manual on our website:

http://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/garden_manual_v_1.12.pdf (page 80)

No digging or planting outside of plot borders: Please remember that digging and planting is only permitted within plot borders. The water system is old and fragile, and the lines are shallow. The water lines can easily be cut by a shovel or have connections broken when the ground is disturbed. It may seem like the pipes will all go in a straight line from one spigot to the next, but they curve underground and it’s hard to predict where they will be.

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: September 23, 2025

Hello Gardeners,

Workday opportunity: There will be a workday at Eagle Heights this Sunday, September 28th from 8-11 am. The group will meet at the EH garden shed at 8 am. The workday will be for digging out and removing an old water line. Volunteers should wear long sleeves and bring gloves. Please email me if you’re interested and I will assign spots in the order I receive replies.

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: September 17, 2025

Hello Gardeners,

Gardening in 2026: Every year, all gardeners must reapply for their garden plots if they want to return the following season.

• 2026 applications will be available beginning December 15th 2025. Returning and new gardeners may turn in applications beginning that day. For new gardeners, applications are processed in the order received.
• For 2025 gardeners, the deadline to apply for renewal will be February 15th 2026. Returning gardeners in good standing have priority to return to the same plot (or to switch if they want).
• Renewal applications received on or after 2/16 are not guaranteed. I will try to help if I can, but gardeners have lost their plots due to late renewal applications in the past. After Feb 15th any plots that have not been renewed will be reassigned to new gardeners, and we usually have a long list of new applicants.
• If you already know that you do not plan to renew your plot, please let me know.

Only assigned gardeners from 2025 are eligible to renew a plot for 2026. If there is someone gardening in your plot with you this year and they’d like to keep the plot next year, you must make sure they are listed as the secondary gardener BEFORE December 15th 2025. Renewal applications in the name of someone not previously listed on the plot can’t be processed.

Please let me know if you have any questions about applying for next season.

Winter squash: Winter squash is ready when it turns the right color for the variety, the vines die back, and the stem is hard. Some gardeners harvest earlier to prevent pests from eating the squash, or theft, which can both be problems in our gardens. If you can wait a bit longer it will help the squash store well. Here is some information on harvesting and storing winter squash:

https://savvygardening.com/harvesting-winter-squash/

https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/winter-squash/winter-squash-eating-guide.html

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/