From the Registrar: April 27, 2022

 Hello Gardeners,  

 

Water: We have requested that the University turn on the water at both Eagle Heights and University Houses now that the threat of very cold weather is (hopefully) over. We can’t choose what day they do the work, but hopefully the water will be on by this weekend. The hoses will be put out at University Houses on Saturday. 

 

Parking: Parking is available at both gardens. If you garden at Eagle Heights, you can use the 4-hour parking along Eagle Heights drive. If you garden at University Houses you can use the 4-hour parking in the small lot to the East of the garden. Please don’t use the garden parking when you’re not gardening.  

 

Organic gardening: If you garden anywhere at Eagle Heights, or anywhere in the A and B rows at University Houses, your garden must be managed organically (University Houses C, D, E, & F plots are not required to be organic). Organic gardening means that no chemical insecticides, fertilizers, herbicides, or fungicides can be used. Any products used must be approved for organic use. Here is some information on organic gardening products you can use in your plot:

http://eagleheightsgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/OrganicProducts.pdf 

There are many ways to manage an organic garden beyond buying organically certified products. Mulching to suppress weeds and improve soil health, companion planting, and crop rotation are just a few possibilities. This article from the University of Missouri extension is a great resource if you’re looking for more ideas about organic gardening: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6220 

 

Thanks, and happy gardening, 

Lily 

 

From the Registrar: April 20, 2022

 Hello Gardeners,  

 

Cool weather plant sale reminder: Scott Williams, from Garden to Be, will be holding a cool weather plant sale at Eagle Heights Gardens this Sunday April 24th from 10 AM-1 pm. He will set up near the shed. The sale will be CASH OR CHECK ONLY (checks payable to “Garden to Be”). Scott offers us a great deal on his plants. Here are the plants that will be available:  

• Single potted plants ($2.50 per pot): Cilantro, Thyme, Sage, Oregano, Salad Mix 

• 4 pack plants ($2.50 per pack): Curly Parsley, Italian Flat parsley, Mixed greens (kale and collards), Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Green Cabbage, Red Cabbage, Napa Cabbage, Rainbow-stem Swiss chard 

• Head lettuce 4-packs ($2 per pack): Several varieties 

 

Row cover sale: We will be selling row cover at Eagle Heights on Sunday also, from 10-11:30. The pieces are approximately 7 ft x 24 ft and they are $5 each, CASH ONLY. Please bring exact change if possible. 

 

Thanks, and happy gardening, 

Lily 

From the Registrar, April 15, 2022

 Hello Gardeners,  

Planting: We’re having a late Spring this year, and the weather is still quite cold. Usually, April 15th is the day that marks when you can begin planting many things outdoors here. Most seeds that you would plant at this time can go in the ground now, and transplants might benefit from some row cover. There are a number of plants that are frost-tolerant, but they might not survive prolonged freezing temperatures and we are still anticipating some nights in the 20s this weekend.  

A frost is possible with a temperature under 36° F. A freeze can happen under 32° F, and a hard frost under 28° F. The lows forecast for tonight and tomorrow night are 25° degrees F.  

If you’re unsure about planting something yet, it might be a good idea to wait until next week.  

Lakeshore Nature Preserve: Both Eagle Heights and University Houses Gardens are a part of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. The Gardens consist of the garden plots, common areas, tool areas, weed piles, and mulch piles (and the paths between). Any area outside of that is a protected area. Please never dump weeds in the protected Preserve areas or take anything out of them. The branches and sticks in the Preserve are not available to use in plots. All weeds should go in the weed piles, and only sticks in the blue stick barrels are available for use in gardens. 

We observe the Preserve’s hours, which are 4 AM to 10 pm every day. Bikes are permitted in the gardens, but not on the Nature Preserve paths. 

Cancellation date reminder: The deadline to get a refund for a cancellation is May 1st.  

Thanks, and happy gardening, 

Lily 

 

From the Registrar: April 4, 2022

Hello Gardeners,  

Seed Fair reminder: The Seed Fair will be held outside, in front of the Eagle Heights Community Center this Saturday April 9th from 9:30AM-11:30AM. The line will start in front of the Center and go down the sidewalk to the left of the Center, towards the lake. So far, the weather looks ok for Saturday, but it will still be cold. We will be handing out packets of seeds because of the seed donation shortage. Every plot will get one basic packet of eight seed varieties and a second packet of two seed varieties (either for indoor or outdoor starting).  

Cancellations and refunds: If you find that you won’t be able to garden this season, or you no longer want to, you have until May 1st to cancel your plot assignment and still get a refund.  

Orientations: For those of you that are new gardeners and didn’t make it to an orientation, we may have some more. If you would like help finding your plot boundaries or have any questions, please let me know. 

Dumpsters: Please remember to take all weeds and plants you don’t want in your plot to the weed pile. No plant matter can go in the dumpsters.  

Thanks, and happy gardening, 

Lily 

Hello Gardeners,  

This is a reminder that we’ll also be selling row cover at the Seed Fair this Saturday. The pieces are approximately 7 ft x 24 ft and they are $5 each, CASH ONLY. If you have exact change, that’s helpful. We will have copies of this handout on row cover with instructions at the Fair: http://eagleheightsgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/row_cover_handout.pdf 

Best, 

Lily