Dear Gardeners,
What lovely fall days we are having. The tomatoes and peppers are still producing some and the fall crops of lettuce and cilantro are ready to eat. The sumac and maples are just starting to put on their red colors and the fall asters are in full bloom.
If you are applying for next year, consider putting in some overwintering crops. We'll have a Garlic Planting Workshop put on by Gary, one of our gardeners on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Eagle Heights Garden Shed at 10 am. Learn about garlic varieties and how to plant them for harvest next year.
Be sure to get your workday obligation done by Dec. 1 and avoid paying a late fee or losing your priority to apply for your plot. Everyone needs to apply but new applications are not accepted until the 2014 obligations are met. The "no workday" option is $32 for a large plot and $16 for a small plot. Make the checks payable to Division of University Housing and send or drop off at the Eagle Heights Community Center, ATTN: Gardens, 611 Eagle Heights, Madison, WI 53705.
Of course there are still upcoming opportunities to do a workday. This Sunday, Sept. 28, we'll have a workday at Eagle Heights from 1 pm to 4 pm to spread wood chips and work on common areas. If you would like to work this opportunity, please reply and I'll get you more information.
We have unfortunately had some thefts recently in the gardens. Please remember that you should not be entering anyone else's plot, even if you think it is abandoned. Thefts are taken seriously and could result in your losing your plot and the right to reapply. Please keep an eye out to protect your garden neighbors as well since we all need to help prevent these incidents.
Now is a great time to think about next year's gardens. Making notes of where things were planted this year (to help rotate crops) and what varieties you particularly enjoyed (or those to avoid) will help you make next year a success as well. Hoping you are having many happy meals with family and friends.
Gretel, Garden Registrar