Dear Gardeners,
It is bright and sunny as I write, but fall is a time for changing weather. We haven't had frost yet, but anytime now we will. Less of the birds are around and many have taken off for winter homes. There are still lots of fall vegetables to be had in the gardens and a good time to clean up the summer vines that have wilted. With the rodent problem, cleaning up in the fall will prevent voles from overwintering in the remains from this summer's plants. Disease and insect problems can also be partially avoided by a good fall clean-up.
We'll have two workdays this weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 11, there will be an opportunity for working in the common plantings at University Houses; On Sunday, Oct. 12 there are chips to be moved for mulch around plantings at Eagle Heights. Both workdays will be 1 pm to 4 pm in the afternoon. Please reply if you would like to work and I'll get you more information.
The workday obligation needs to be settled by Dec. 1 and it is uncertain how many more workdays will be possible given the weather. We plan on projects into November, but sometimes we cannot do some of them in snow. There are weekday opportunities to work on plot marking for a couple of people. Let me know if you would be available for any of those and I will see if we can get a schedule for that. If you want to pay the "no workday" option, it is $32 for a large plot and $16 for a small plot. Checks can be made out to the Division of University Housing and mailed or dropped off at the Eagle Heights Community Center, ATTN: Gardens, 611 Eagle Heights, Madison, 53705. After Dec. 1, there is a late fee and a drop in priority ranking to request a plot for next year. If you have any questions about your completion of the workday obligation, please let me know.
Soon there will be time to plant garlic and shallots. Sometimes late-planted spinach and other greens will survive the winter to make some welcome eating early in the spring. Some of you have perennial flowers, fruit or herbs that can be prepared for snow so that they will survive into next season. Fall is a lovely time in the gardens (no mosquitoes!). Consider planting some bulbs for spring to welcome us all back after the snows.
Hoping you saw the lunar eclipse and spectacular cloud formations this week,
Gretel, Garden Registrar