From the Gardens Registrar: Weekly Coronavirus Reminder; Lakeshore Nature Preserve; Next Plant Delivery; Compost Tea; Nagging on Various Subjects

Hello Gardeners,

CORONAVIRUS  – We still need to continue social distancing. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water before you come to the gardens, bring your own tools if possible; otherwise, wash tool and cart handles before and after you use them, and/or use garden gloves. And don’t come to the gardens if you’re feeling sick. We now have soap at both gardens, and we will try to keep it stocked.

LAKESHORE NATURE PRESERVE – Our gardens are part of the UW Lakeshore Preserve, and there is Preserve property next to both EH and UH. Everything in the Preserve, (except for garlic mustard) is protected. Gardeners are not allowed to take anything from the Preserve, including sticks for fencing and trellises, even if they’re lying on the ground. We have stick barrels at both gardens, and try to keep gardeners provided with sticks. Also, dumping weeds or trash is not allowed in the Preserve. To learn more about this beautiful area: https://lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu/what-is-the-lakeshore-nature-preserve/

RESPECT FOR OTHER GARDENERS – This should go without saying, but apparently, I need to remind gardeners that nobody should be walking through another person’s garden without permission, and nobody should take anything from another person’s garden –  equipment or plants or anything. If you have friends helping you with your garden, please make sure your friends understand our rules, as well.

DIGGING OUTSIDE OF YOUR PLOT – The gardens are looking especially good this spring. Although some gardeners are staying away out of health concerns, clearly a lot of gardeners have extra time to garden, and are really throwing themselves into clearing, weeding, building, planting, etc. This is all good. But a number of gardeners have been digging in the paths in front of their plots. This is not good, if your plot is on a water line. Please be aware – the water lines are shallow, and not very far from the surface. Water lines can be damaged by garden tools, and in fact, one of our recent line breaks happened because of a gardener digging outside the plot. You can weed outside your plot if you like, but do not use tools anywhere near the water line.

WARM WEATHER PLANT DELIVERY – Garden to Be is still taking orders for plants from Eagle Heights gardeners, to be delivered on May 17. If you place a new order, be sure to choose “pick up” when you check out, and include the information that you’re an Eagle Heights gardener, so he’ll waive the delivery fees. Here’s the link again: http://garden-to-be-wiscofarm.square.site/

COMPOST TEA – Former EH gardener, Gary K., will once again provide his wonderful free AACT (actively aereated compost tea) to gardeners on Saturday, May 2. He will deliver it at 9am to the area near the EH shed. Each container should be mixed with a gallon of non-chlorinated water, and will provide healthy microbes to enrich your soil. (You could use lake water, or let the garden water sit for a day to let the chlorine dissolve.) You’ll get best results if you apply it in the evening. He’ll leave a trash bin so that people can return the containers and he can reuse them next time. Thanks, Gary.

CARS IN THE GARDEN –We are not allowed to drive cars into the gardens. (Occasionally, some UW staff do this, but they are allowed.) I know that some gardeners who are bringing heavy equipment or lots of plants want to park next to the EH gate to unload, but this is not allowed, either. I am willing to make an exception for elderly/disabled gardeners, or special circumstances, but please ask in advance. Yes, it’s a pain to get a cart and haul things from Eagle Heights Drive. (I know, believe me.) But the garden entrance  at Lake Mendota and Eagle Heights Drives is a very dangerous corner, with a hill, buses, car traffic, and a great deal of pedestrian and bicycle traffic. To say nothing of turkeys. It’s not safe, so please don’t do it.

Happy Gardening, and Stay Safe,  

Kathryn