From the Gardens Registrar: VOTE; Odds and Ends; Workday on Saturday, November 3, at U Houses

Hello Gardeners, 

                      

VOTE NOVEMBER 6 – Our gardeners come to Madison from all over the world, and we’re very proud of that. But this message is only for those of you who are U.S. citizens – if you are eligible to vote, don’t forget to cast a ballot on Tuesday, November 6. It doesn’t matter who you vote for, but it does matter that you vote. If you’re not already registered, you can register at the polls. Whether you’re registered or not, you’ll need to bring a current photo I.D., and you’ll need proof of your current address if you’re not registered, or if you’ve changed addresses. Here is some information specifically for UW Madison students from the League of Women Voters: https://www.lwvdanecounty.org/assisting-uwmadison-students/

DOES ANYBODY HAVE EXPERIENCES WITH GROWING BLACKBERRIES? One of our gardeners is wondering if anybody has tried growing blackberries in our gardens. Have you? Have they been successful? Please let me know, and I’ll pass the information on.

WHAT TO LEAVE IN YOUR PLOT – If you plan to renew your garden for next year, you may certainly keep your tomato cages and other gardening equipment in the plot over the winter. But if you have a place to store your tools over the winter, it’s probably safer to take them home and bring them back in the spring. Otherwise, they might be gone. It’s also better for the tools if they’re not outside during fierce winter storms.

PORTABLE TOILETS – The portable toilets at both gardens will go away for the winter on November 1. They’ll come back some time in late March. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to hold it until then.

WINTER READING – Winter is a good time to do more reading. For gardeners, it’s an opportunity to learn more about plants, different approaches to gardening, and new ways to prepare and preserve your harvests.  I recently read the book, What a Plant Knows, by Daniel Chamovitz, which was quite interesting. These are a few lists of recommended books I’ve found on the Internet: https://www.intoxicatedonlife.com/14-great-books-gardening-read-winter/     

https://www.growveg.com/guides/7-unforgettable-winter-reads-for-gardeners/        

https://www.seedsavers.org/category/books

If you have a favorite book about gardening, botany, the natural world, preserving, or anything else related to gardening, send me the title, and I’ll share it with the group.

THANKS FOR THE WORK ON 115 – A big thank you to the workday crew that hauled leaves to Plot 115 at Eagle Heights. It’s looked terrible all season, and now it looks wonderful. You did a great job.

NEW LEAVES IN BOTH GARDENS – The new leaves from Shorewood have begun to arrive at both gardens. The old leaves are dark and matted, while the new leaves are light in color, and fluffy. Both make great mulch – why not use some of both, and make attractive patterns with the two colors? I’m joking…

WORKDAY THIS WEEKEND – We will have a workday on Saturday, November 3, from 9am – Noon, at University Houses Gardens. The gardens are at the end of Haight Road, next to Bernie’s Place Childcare Center, at 39 University Houses. The task will be clearing abandoned plots. The weather looks good – cloudy and cool, but dry. Here’s the link to sign up: https://doodle.com/poll/urz6b4hngv2abn48

Happy Gardening and Happy Halloween,

Kathryn