From the Gardens Registrar: Empty Garden Plots; Spinosad
Spraying; Bean Beetles; When to Dig Up Your Garlic (not yet, but soon); Why You
Should Mulch Your Garden; Workday to be Announced Later
Hello Gardeners,
EMPTY GARDEN PLOTS – Do you have friends who envy you
because you have a garden plot at Eagle Heights, and they don’t? Well, now you
can share the experience. We have garden plots opening up, and will need some
new gardeners to take care of them. Some of these garden plots have been
abandoned, so they may be in very bad shape. But since it’s getting late in the
season to start a garden, the fees are half-price. If you know anyone
interested, please ask them to email me for more information.
SPINOSAD SPRAYING – Due to windy conditions, and
frequent rain this last week, we have not been able to spray for potato
beetles. Spraying will still take place as soon as weather permits.
BEAN BEETLES – A few gardeners have spotted the first
bean beetle eggs and larvae. There aren’t many of them here yet, but if you
grow beans, please keep an eye out for signs of these pests. When we start
seeing a lot of them, we will be ordering parasitic wasps to control them. This
is a website with information and good pictures of the beetles and larvae: http://idl.entomology.cornell.edu/files/2013/11/Mexican-Bean-Beetle-21q0nah.pdf
(If you think your plot has bean beetle eggs, larvae, or adult
beetles, please let me know.)
GARLIC – Many gardeners have garlic growing in our
plots. If you planted the garlic in the fall, July will probably be the time to
harvest. This is a website with good information on when and how to pull out
your garlic, and how to store it: https://www.thespruce.com/harvesting-garlic-1402402
MULCH – Now that University Houses Gardens finally
have mulch, I can talk about the benefits of using it. We have leaf mulch and
bark mulch at both gardens. The partially-composted leaf mulch comes from the
Village of Shorewood, and it is excellent to spread on your garden. This mulch
will improve your soil, smother weeds, keep moisture in (very helpful in dry
weather, which we’re not having), keep plant roots cooler, make a softer and
cleaner surface for your fruits and vegetables to rest on, and prevent soil
erosion. The bark mulch is excellent for paths in your garden – it controls
weeds, and it doesn’t deteriorate quickly, so one good thick application, and
you’re done for the season. And it also looks nice. This year, we are getting a
steady supply of the bark mulch, so gardeners should really take advantage of
it being here.
WORKDAY – Will be announced separately.
Happy gardening,
Kathryn