Dear Gardeners,
The trees are just starting to turn colors and some of the migrating birds are back through the gardens and on the lake. Look for the warblers returning from the north in the bushes and the ducks and coots on the lake. We missed the frost and hope to have a couple of months of cool and enjoyable gardening weather.
We seem to have quite a rodent problem this year, so please check for hideouts for them over winter. Turn plant debris under the soil or take it to the weed pile rather than allowing it to host voles and mice over winter. Don't leave piles of sticks or buckets where they can house. Turning the soil and putting down leaf mulch will help with getting spring planting in early.
Now is a great time to mark your calenders to reapply for your plot for 2015. Each year, some gardeners are very disappointed to miss applying and not be able to get their plot back. New applications will be on the website in mid-December and applying before holiday break would be very helpful. If there are any glitches with the application or fees, you could correct them and still meet the Feb. 15 deadline for prioritization.
Remember that you need to do a workday or pay the "no workday option" fee by Dec. 1. You can pay by writing a check to Division of University Housing ($32 for a large plot; 16 for a small plot) and dropping it off or sending to Eagle Heights Community Center, ATTN: Gardens, 611 Eagle Heights, Madison, WI 53705.
We will have two workdays this weekend. On Saturday, Sept. 20, we'll be working at the University Houses gardens doing mulching and plot work from 8 am to 11 am. On Sunday, September 21, we'll be at Eagle Heights Gardens from 1 pm to 4 pm working to move wood chips and prepare for some more plantings. Please reply if you would like to work either of these opportunities and I'll get you more information.
Be sure to save a little garlic for fall planting (shallots too!). If you want to get some for planting, the gardens stores will have some, but the Farmer's Market will have a wider variety of types. One of our gardeners has offered to give a garlic planting workshop in early October so be sure to put Oct. 4 on your calenders for that (not sure of time yet). October is also a good time to plant spring bulbs such as daffodils or tulips and to move perennials before the ground freezes.
What a wonderful time to work in the gardens with cooler temperatures and no mosquitoes!
Gretel, Garden Registrar