From the Gardens Registrar: Reminder – Don’t Go In Other People’s Plots; Covid 19; 

Leopold Benches; Lakeshore Preserve Hours; Too Much Squash?

Hello Gardeners,

REMINDER – DON’T GO INTO/THROUGH OTHER PEOPLE’S PLOTS – We have a few garden plots with fruit trees that are now bearing fruit. Naturally, other gardeners want to pick that fruit. But our standard rules still apply – no gardener is allowed into another’s garden without their permission. Further, you are not allowed to walk through anybody’s garden on your way somewhere else. Please have some consideration for your fellow gardeners.

COVID 19 – Despite the self-sacrifices that many of us have been making since March, the number of coronavirus cases in the U.W., Wisconsin, and our county have been going up. As far as I know, no one has become sick from coming to our gardens. Nevertheless, the pandemic is far from over, so it seems like a good idea to remind people of basic precautions. If you are not feeling well, don’t come to the gardens. If you have tested positive for the virus, even though you don’t have symptoms, don’t come to the gardens. People should maintain at least six-foot social distancing at all times with anyone other than their own family/housemates. The latest county order suggests that people wear face masks even outside (suggests, but does not require.) Considering how large our gardens are, I still don’t think it’s necessary to wear a mask while gardening, but I do recommend that you always have one with you, in case you want to have an extended conversation or work closely with another gardener. Lastly, wash your hands frequently, with soap, which we have provided, particularly before and after touching shared tools and faucets.

(Thanks to EH gardener J.B., who also coordinates the Sheboygan Avenue Garden, for sharing the information he shared with his gardeners.)

LEOPOLD BENCHES – The plot in the 1100 row which includes two pear trees and a (former) sandbox, became very weedy over the last few years, and several brave gardeners have put a great deal of work into rehabbing it this year. Through their efforts, this will again become a pleasant place for gardeners and families to relax. We would like to have two small simple benches in the plot. We haven’t yet fully approved the plan, but in the meantime, I’m wondering if anybody would be interested in helping out (as a workday, of course) by building and installing Leopold benches? The first Leopold bench was built by the naturalist, (and U.W. Madison professor), Aldo Leopold. It is simple – 6 pieces of wood, and a few bolts and screws. Building one takes about 2 hours, and free plans are widely available on the Internet. We would like 2 of them for the Pear Plot/Sandbox, each seating 2 people. We would, of course, pay for the materials. Let me know if you’re interested.

NEW LAKESHORE PRESERVE HOURS – As part of its response to the pandemic, the Lakeshore Preserve has changed its hours – the preserve is now only open from sunrise to sunset. Our gardens are part of the Preserve, so gardeners should follow the same hours. Not that I think there are many people weeding their rutabagas in the middle of the night.

SQUASH - It’s that time of year – there has been a constant supply of overgrown zucchini and summer squash on the share shelves. Even if you have only one plant, you may still be getting more zucchini than you want. In case you’re running out of ideas, here is a link to a huge number of recipes: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/2455/fruits-and-vegetables/vegetables/squash/summer-squash/zucchini/

Happy Gardening and Stay Well,

Kathryn