From the Garden Registrar:

Good news this week, for a change. I’m sure we can all use some good news.

COMFREY. This plant grows luxuriantly all over the gardens, and it’s very useful to gardeners, as compost and mulch. It’s high in nitrogen, and breaks down easily to enrich the soil. Here’s a link with a picture and general information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfrey

ANSWERS FOR GARDEN QUESTIONS - The Dane County UW Extension Horticulture Program has a hotline during gardening season to answer questions from gardeners – 608-224-3721, or you can email them at horticulture@countyofdane.com

 

Also, on Fridays, from 11am – 12:30pm, the Larry Meiller Show on WHA Radio (970AM in Madison), has a program called Garden Talk, with different guests each week who talk about different aspects of gardening, and answer questions from listeners.

And don’t forget we have many excellent and experienced gardeners right here in the Eagle Heights and University Houses gardens – if you’ve got a question, try asking your garden neighbors. They might have the answer – they’ll at least have an opinion.

GARDEN TOOLS – Our tools are very high quality, and should last us for many years with proper use. We have a wide assortment, and have just acquired more specialty forks for breaking up soil. (Please be sure to return them to the tool area at the garden sheds when you are done working, and hang them up if there is any room to do so.)

TOADS – The many toads in our gardens eat insects, worms, slugs, spiders, and other invertebrates. A toad is capable of eating as many as 1000 insects in a day. Most don’t eat that much, but they do eat as much as they can – they are voracious. Also, they’re very cute. And no, you can’t get warts from touching them. 

BATS AND OWLS – These night hunters eat garden pests such as mosquitoes and rodents. This Saturday, June 18, 9:30am – Noon, the UW McPherson Eye Research Institute will offer a program on night vision in bats and owls, called Fly By Night. It will take place at the UW Arboretum Visitor Center. There is a fee - $8 for adults, $5 for children aged 12 and under.

WORKDAYS - This is the link to sign up for this weekend’s work session: http://doodle.com/poll/izrksw6tud2esg9x The session will be Saturday, June 18, 8am – 11am, to take advantage of the cooler temperatures earlier in the morning. Participants will continue weeding the tree line. This is an excellent chance to take care of your workday obligation with a task that’s not very strenuous.

Happy gardening, everyone,

Kathryn