Dear Gardeners,
I've seen lots of activity in the gardens as we look at the weather forecast and realize that winter is setting in early. With temperatures in the teens, all the crops will die or go dormant, but there is still time to clean up and add leaves to prevent the ground heaving in the cold. The geese have been very active and the lake is filling with migrating waterfowl. Time to clean the garden beds and tools. Please don't leave piles of sticks or buckets turned over since these are favorite winter homes for rodents. The hawks have been around hunting but they can only do so much.
There are good tips on our website for winter preparation of the gardens. Check out page 17 in the manual at
http://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/garden_manual_v_1.12.pdf
Sunday, November 16, we'll have a workday from 1 pm to 4 pm at Eagle Heights to prepare the trees for winter by putting on plastic tubes to prevent the rodents from eating the bark. Please reply if you would like to work this opportunity. We don't know if the weather will allow further workdays so get one in if you can. The weather shows cold temperatures but little snow at this point for Sunday.
If you want to pay the "no workday option" fee, please make the check out to Division of University Housing and send or drop off at the Eagle Heights Community Center, ATTN: Gardens, 611 Eagle Heights, Madison, WI 53705.
Just a reminder, every year some gardeners are disappointed to lose their plots by forgetting to apply. Every gardener, new or returning, must reapply each year. The new applications will be on the website in mid-December and accepted for prioritization of plot assignments until Feb. 15, 2015. After Feb. 15, applications are accepted in the order received and a waiting list is started. Put a reminder on the calender and apply early to get the best chance at getting the plot you desire.
I've been pulling out the thermal underwear and hats and gloves as the temperatures seem more like late December. Hoping we get some warmer weather in a little bit but the plants appear to have decided the growing season is over. This was a good season with less pests and better rainfall than some years and a good harvest still to be enjoyed.
Gretel, Garden Registrar