From the Gardens Registrar: YOUR SUGGESTIONS for the Gardens; Spotted-Wing Drosophila on Raspberries; Planting Garlic in the Fall; Care and Feeding of Hoses; Tomato Jam; No Workday This Weekend

Hello Gardeners,

YOUR SUGGESTIONS – Remember, the gardens are run by and for the gardeners. We do not have a manager – decisions are made by the Garden Committee, a group of gardener volunteers, and anyone gardening at Eagle Heights or University Houses is welcome to be a member. At our next meeting, on September 13, we will talk about planning for 2018. If you have ideas on changes and/or improvements you would like to see in the gardens, please email them to me in the next few days, and I will share them with the committee. Or, of course, come to the meeting. Or do both. 7pm – 8pm, Eagle Heights Community Center, Room 139, next to the gym. Watch for basketballs. (I’m serious.) Please share your opinions!

SPOTTED-WING DROSOPHILA – One of our gardeners has reported finding fruit flies and tiny worms on and around her raspberries. These flies are a serious threat to raspberry growers, particularly in the fall. What’s particularly annoying is that they target under-ripe fruit. According to the latest Wisconsin Pest Bulletin, which the State of Wisconsin issues weekly, if you have these insects on your bushes, it’s important to pick your berries every day. Don’t leave over-ripe berries on the plants or on the ground. The gardener sent this link, which has good information for organic gardeners: https://www.newlifeonahomestead.com/prevent-raspberry-worms-spotted-wing-drosophila/

PLANTING GARLIC IN THE FALL – Fall is the best time to plant garlic in Wisconsin – it will be dormant in the winter, start sprouting early in the spring, and be ready for harvesting in the summer. On Saturday, September 23, one of our long-term gardeners (and Garlic Czar) will offer his yearly talk about how and when to plant fall garlic. The title will be, “Why It Is Best to Plant Garlic After October 5 This Year.” This will take place at 10am near the Eagle Heights Shed. Don’t start your garlic yet – wait until you hear Gary’s advice.

HOSES – A reminder – please do not leave your hose attached to a water spigot. Please do not leave your hose lying in the path. Please do not leave the water running unattended. Please do not flood your neighbors’ plots. Really, dears, this is very simple.

TOMATO JAM – Having lots and lots of tomatoes, I was looking for a different way to preserve them, and found recipes for tomato jam. It’s sweet and spicy. You can eat it on toast, but it’s also good with cheese sandwiches, on crackers, as a dip, or in place of ketchup. Here’s a typical recipe: http://www.thejoykitchen.com/recipe/amys-tomato-jam

NO WORKDAY THIS WEEKEND – Our garden workers are taking a break this weekend, so you can too.

Happy Gardening,

Kathryn