From the Registrar: November 10, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

 
Weed pile reminder: Please keep the weed pile rules in mind while cleaning up your plot this fall. Sticks/branches cannot go in the piles. They can be placed in the stick barrels. If you are removing a trellis made of sticks, the plant matter and sticks must be separated. No trash can be left in the weed piles. This includes any row cover and landscaping material. These must go in the dumpster.

 
If sticks, trash, and excessive amounts of soil are in the weed piles, the composting facility will reject the delivery, and we will be responsible for a significant fee to take the material to the landfill.

 
Check in about your plot status: This is a good time to check in with any questions regarding your garden plot. Garden applications for 2027 will be available beginning December 15, 2026. All returning gardeners must apply no later than February 15, 2027 to renew a plot or move to a new location, and a 2026 workday or no-workday fee must be complete. I will send an email when applications open and a reminder before the renewal deadline.

Before December 15th 2026, you can still add a secondary gardener to your plot so that person is eligible to renew the plot for 2027. If you’re unsure who is listed on your plot for this season, I can look this up for you.

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

 
Road construction: Beginning this Thursday, there will be some road closures on University Bay Drive for construction. Please see details here: 

https://transportation.wisc.edu/2026/11/06/lakeshore-nature-preserve-closures-detours/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=wordpress_insideuw&utm_campaign=facstaff_comms&utm_content=2026_11_10

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: November 5, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

Leaf mulch: We expect new leaf mulch deliveries from Shorewood to begin any day now. Fall is a good time to add mulch to your plot. Fresh leaves are a lot easier to haul than leaves that have been sitting over the winter. Making a leaf pile in your plot in the fall is very convenient for spring planting and mulching.

Garlic: It’s not too late to plant garlic. If you haven’t grown garlic before, it’s quite easy. More information can be found here:
http://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/garden_manual_v_1.12.pdf (page 80)

Parking: Garden parking will remain open on Eagle Heights Drive until November 15th barring bad weather. If it snows before that and UW Apartment Facilities has to plow, the parking signs may have to come down 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, and 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: Oct 21, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

 
Workday opportunity: There will be a workday at Eagle Heights this Saturday, October 24th 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 bring gloves. Please email me if you’re interested and I will assign spots in the order I receive replies.

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 14, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

 
Frost warning: The weather forecast is showing a potential frost or freeze on Friday night 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.

Water shut-off: I have placed a work order with the UW plumbers to shut down the Garden water systems to prevent any damage in case of a freeze. Once a work order is placed, we do not have a choice about when it will be done. The Gardens are a lower priority than other plumbing on campus, so our requests are completed within a window when they are available to help. This means that the water could be off as soon as tomorrow. If you are still watering any crops, you may want to carry water in.
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 14, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

 
October Garden Committee meeting: This month’s committee meeting will be today 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

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. Try to avoid stepping on the beds when you remove plants, so you don't 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 find 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)

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 9, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

Workday opportunity: There will be a workday at Eagle Heights Gardens this Saturday, October 10th from 10 am-1 pm. The workday will be for general weeding and mulching. Volunteers should bring gloves. Please reply to this email if you’d like to sign up.

Build a leaf pile in your plot: Please consider creating a small leaf mulch pile in a corner of your plot! We are having a difficult time using up our leaf piles in the gardens and they need to be moved soon. The leaves are a great resource, and maintaining a small pile in your plot means mulch is always at hand. The leaves will also break down over time and enrich the soil in your plot.

Please do not enter other gardeners’ plots: Please remember not to enter any plots or harvest produce from any plots besides your own. Let me know if you have any questions about plots or borders.

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 29, 2026

Hello Gardeners,

 
Please use leaf mulch! We need to use up the remaining leaf mulch at both gardens before the new leaves are delivered in early November. The free leaf mulch 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.

 
Offer from a gardener to harvest and donate unwanted produce: A gardener has offered to harvest unwanted produce and donate it to a local food pantry. Produce for donation would ONLY be harvested from the plots of gardeners who confirm that they want this to be done. If you are unable to or don't want to harvest produce remaining in your plot, and you would like it to be donated, please email me to confirm.

 
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/