From the Registrar September 29, 2021

 Hello Gardeners,  

 

Gardening in 2022: All gardeners must reapply each year for their garden plots. If you’re interested in gardening the same plot in 2022, please make a note that the deadline to apply for renewal is February 15th. Applications will be available beginning December 15th. I will send out a reminder email before the February 15th deadline. 

Winter squash: Winter squash is ready to harvest when it has turned a darker color, the vine has died back, and the stem is hard. Some gardeners choose to harvest earlier to prevent pests from eating the squash, which can be a problem in our gardens, but if you wait a bit longer it will store better. Winter squash should be harvested before the first frost. Here are some helpful tips about harvesting and storing winter squash: 

https://savvygardening.com/harvesting-winter-squash/ 

https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/winter-squash/winter-squash-eating-guide.html 

Another workday reminder: We are getting near the end of the season, so please check in with me if you’re not sure you’ve done a workday. For gardeners applying to renew plots in 2022, a workday for this year must either be done or the no-workday fee paid in order to be in good standing for renewal. 

Leaf mulch update: We were able to get some help from UW Grounds to move some of the leaf mulch from Eagle Heights to University Houses this week. Hopefully this will be a better distribution of resources so Eagle Heights can use up what they have, and University Houses will have enough. We are not supposed to have the mulch sit for more than nine months at a time, so please use as much as you can on your plots before more is delivered to both gardens this Fall. 

 

Thanks, and happy gardening, 

Lily 

From the Registrar September 22, 2021

 Hello Gardeners, 

 

Workday opportunity: We need 6 volunteers for another wall-building workday at Eagle Heights this Saturday 9/25 from 9AM-Noon. Please let me know if you're interested. I will sign people up in the order they reply. 

 

Have you done a workday? Some gardeners aren’t sure if they’ve done a workday yet. If you aren’t sure, please send me an email and I’ll look it up for you. Each plot has one workday requirement. The requirements for 2020 and 2021 were combined, so if you did a workday last year you won’t need to do another. If you haven’t done one either year, you’ll need to complete one or pay the no-workday fee. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

 

Thanks, and happy gardening, 

Lily 

 

From the Registrar September 15, 2021

 Hello Gardeners, 

 

Workday opportunity: We need 8 volunteers for a wall-building workday at Eagle Heights this Saturday 9/18 from 9AM-Noon. Please let me know if you're interested. I will sign people up in the order they reply. 

 
Putting your garden to bed: If you are done harvesting, this is a good time to put your garden to bed for the season. Pull out your plants and weeds and take them to the weed pile. Then spread a layer of leaf mulch over your plot. Even if you plan to grow a few fall greens or plant garlic, this is a good time to clean up the areas of your garden you’re done using for the season. 

 

Thanks, and happy gardening, 

Lily 

From the Registrar September 8, 2021

 Hello Gardeners, 

 

Horse manure: We just received a delivery of horse manure at Eagle Heights today. The manure is by the leaf mulch and wood chips. This is an excellent fertilizer for your plot. Please be aware that it’s not composted manure, so you should not put it directly on any plants. If you would like some for your plot, you can put some in a pile or a large bag in your plot to wait for Spring. 

 

Reminder about plot borders on paths: If you have any perennial plants that are located outside your plot borders on the path you will need to move them. Next Spring, we will be mowing any plants in the path and removing anything that extends beyond the metal posts marking the fronts of plots. Please move anything you want to keep now, and don’t plan to plant anything there next season. 

 

Thanks, and happy gardening, 

Lily 

From the Registrar September 1, 2021

 Hello Gardeners,  

 

Workday opportunities: We have a few workday opportunities available: 

 

• Sunday Sep 5th, 8-11AM: 10 volunteers needed (Weed pulling at Eagle Heights) 

 

• Wednesday Sep 8th, 4:30-6:30 pm: 2 volunteers needed (weed whacking- half credit for workday, at Eagle Heights) 

 

• Thursday Sep 9th, 4:30-6:30 pm: 2 volunteers needed (weed whacking- half credit for workday, at Eagle Heights) 

 

• Saturday Sep 11th, 9AM-Noon: 8 volunteers needed (Weed pulling at Eagle Heights) 

 

• Sunday Sep 12th, 9AM-Noon: 8 volunteers needed (Weed pulling at Eagle Heights) 

 

If you’re interested in doing any of these group workdays, please let me know. I will fill spots up in the order that I receive replies. 

 

Abandoned plots: Sometimes gardeners have to move in the middle of the season, or something comes up and they can no longer take care of their plots. If you find yourself in this situation, please let me know. If you decide to give up your plot, volunteers can clean it up and spread leaf mulch on it.  

 

Thanks, and happy gardening, 

Lily