Fall is here and garlic workshop in Oct.

Dear Gardeners,
Fall comes in this week but we are having lovely weather. The trees are just starting to have a few colored leaves and the geese have been honking overhead, but our gardens continue to produce. There are many fall chores to get done and a great time to be outside. Cleaning up plots now means that there will be less disease problems in the spring and an early start to planting those great spring vegetables.
One possibility if you are returning next year is to plant garlic or shallots to overwinter. Garlic can be planted in the spring, but the overwintered bulbs will get larger and be ready sooner. Gary, a gardener in the 600's , has offered a garlic planting workshop at the Eagle Heights gardens for Oct. 3 at 9 am. Come learn how easy it is to plant garlic bulbs and get some tips on soil preparation and timing. The local farmers' markets will have many varieties to try or you can plant some of your own if you are happy with the results.
The Garden Committee has just approved the application for next year. One change involve making sure that tall plant structures are sturdy and not shading the neighbors. The other is a specific prohibition of glass in the gardens after some difficulties this year. Plexiglass or plastic can be used for cold-frames but glass windows or jars should be removed since broken glass can be very difficult to pick up completely and poses a safety issue for other gardeners.
The new applications will be available on the website in mid-December. Every gardener, new and returning, needs to reapply each year. Please mark your calendars or set a reminder now. Each year, some returning gardeners miss the application period and are very disappointed when they find their plot has been reassigned . I make every effort to get gardeners in good standing back into their plots if they apply on time, but I can't do that if you don't apply. University Houses apartments are newly renovated and  being filled and  Hill Farms gardens are closing  so apply early since we may get more applications than ever next year. After Feb. 15, 2016, any remaining plots are filled on a first-come, first placed basis so don't miss the deadline.
We can expect to continue to get greens and fall vegetables into November. The birds are enjoying the sunflower seeds and soon we'll be getting deliveries of leaves for mulching down the beds. Enjoy your fall and all the good harvest meals. Be sure to check out the lunar eclipse due Sunday night around 9 pm with an especially close and large moon!
Gretel, Garden Registrar