Dear Gardeners,
The cooler temps are certainly welcome to gardeners after the heat and humidity but the garden plants enjoyed the summer weather. The harvest continues and we hope to have Food Pantry collections again this Saturday morning for any extra produce.
This Sunday, Sept. 13, there will be a workday at University Houses gardens from 4 pm to 7 pm to work on paths and restore the areas around the water system changes. Please reply if you would like more information and want to work. With fall coming on, we will have workdays but can't do evenings too late since the days are getting shorter. We try to move the workday schedule around when we can to accommodate work and activity schedules, but most workdays in the fall will be weekends midday.
You may have noticed the excellent new hose reel installed this summer. Today, more stations are going in at University Houses so that it will be easier to get the hoses to plots and returned in good condition. This will also mean that the paths will be clearer for traffic if the hoses are returned properly. Please take a few minutes to note how to release and return the hose. The reels were a definite investment and we want them to last a long time. There is a good system to store the reels and hoses over the winter and we hope this makes a much improved system for watering.
I have gotten some questions about "no workday option" fees. If you haven't been able to make a workday or haven't already paid, you can meet your obligation by paying this fee ($32 for a large plot; $16 for a small plot) by Dec. 1. After Dec. 1, you lose your priority to ask for you plot back if you haven't met your obligation. If you pay after Dec. 1, you are considered a new gardener and must pay the fee along with a late fee ($20 large plot;$10 small plot) before an application for 2016 can be accepted. You can pay by check made out to Division of University Housing and dropped off or mailed to the Eagle Heights Community Center, ATTN: Gardens, 611 Eagle Heights, Madison, WI 53705. If you have any question about whether you paid or already worked, please just email and I can check the status for your plot.
As plants go to seed, you might consider keeping some seeds for next year. Some hybrid plants or those that cross-pollinate might not breed true, but many heirloom varieties of beans, flowers, herbs and tomatoes can easily be kept and replanted. If you have seeds to share, please consider labeling some extra packets and bringing them to next year's seed fair or sharing with your neighbors. See more information here on seed saving:
http://www.seedsavers.org/Education/Seed-Saving-Resources/
Now is a good time to reflect on the wonder of the gardens as we carry away such lovely vegetables and enjoy such good meals. Gratitude for the blessings helps body and soul.
Gretel, Garden Registrar