From the Gardens Registrar: Important: We Need Garden Committee Co-Chairs; Warm Weather Plant Sale; Workday (?); It’s Time to Plant Beans

Hello Gardeners,

GARDEN COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS – The Eagle Heights Gardens are managed by the Garden Committee (with some oversight by the UW), which is led by two Co-Chairs. One of our Co-Chairs stepped down from the position this winter, due to other commitments. The other Co-Chair will probably be leaving Madison some time this summer. Therefore, we are looking for two people to be our new Co-Chairs. 

These are volunteer positions whose primary responsibility is facilitating communication within the gardens. The Co-Chairs run the monthly garden meetings; they also help to moderate the forum and the discussion list. They have no particular power to make decisions but they do have power to frame the debate, set agendas, encourage or limit debate, and bring issues to a vote. The Co-Chairs have a special responsibility to make sure that all voices are heard and that everyone who is interested has a chance to participate.

Co-Chairs must be able to attend most of the garden committee meetings, as well as meetings of the UW’s Garden Oversight Committee. The Co-Chairs announce garden meetings and agendas and ensure that minutes and other relevant information is distributed. While the Registrar is the primary person who communicates with gardeners, the Co-Chairs also have some responsibility to make sure that all gardeners are staying informed and are given the chance to be involved in decision making.

The Co-Chairs help prepare annual budgets and provide oversight to make sure that income and expenses are in line with projections. The Co-Chairs check in regularly with the Registrar and Garden Workers. They also assist in the general running of the gardens, by making sure that policies are clear and pertinent issues are brought up at garden meetings.

The Co-Chairs play an important role in conflict resolution and policy enforcement, and address appeals from gardeners for exceptions from normal garden policies. Co-Chairs may also choose to take on special projects as desired. The current Co-Chair estimates that he spends from 0 – 5 hours per week on the job. If you’re interested, please put together a short statement of intent, and send it to me. I’ll relay it to the Garden Committee.

WARM WEATHER PLANT SALE – On Sunday, May 14, Scott Williams of GardenToBe in Mount Horeb will be back at Eagle Heights to sell plants – 11am – 1pm, by the garden shed. Plants will include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, herbs, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, cucumbers, melons, lettuce, and zucchini.

WORKDAY – Stay tuned. If we have a workday this weekend, I’ll announce it on Thursday.

IT’S BEAN-PLANTING TIME – According to Robin Mittenthal’s comprehensive planting guide, (http://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/vegetable_planting_guide.pdf), we can start planting beans on May 10.  The ground has warmed up, and there will be very little chance of frost once the beans germinate. So go to it. By the way, we could use more Bean Brigade Volunteers at Eagle Heights, in the upper 1000’s and 1100’s, and the lower 1300’s. Remember, volunteers will plant beans, let us know they’re planting them, and monitor them for bean beetle eggs and larvae.

Happy gardening,

Kathryn