From the Registrar: July 20, 2023

Hello Gardeners, 

 

Fence etiquette: There are many fences in the Gardens, and this is not a problem if they are well-maintained. Fences need to be kept weeded. They can become overgrown quickly with invasive plants like bindweed, and they need to be weeded frequently. If you have climbing plants, please make sure they stay in your plot and don’t climb over a fence or into your neighbor’s plot.   

Mexican Bean Beetles: There have been some sightings of bean beetles at Eagle Heights Gardens. The Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis) is in the same family as ladybugs, and the adults resemble an orange ladybug. The larvae are yellow and spiny: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/bean/mexican_bean_beetle.htm 

As we have in previous years, we have ordered parasitic wasps (Pediobius faveolatus) to try to keep them under control. I will distribute the wasps in the Gardens tomorrow. Please let me know if you have noticed bean beetles on your bean plants, and if you're willing to host some of the wasps in your plot. These wasps are very small and don’t sting people. 

Hoses: All hoses must be kept out of the paths so they can be mowed. Please do not leave them lying in the grass. This creates a lot of extra work for the garden workers and risks the hose being cut by a mower. Please also disconnect your hose from the spigot at Eagle Heights when you are done using it. Many people share spigots and leaving your hose attached means someone else must remove it for you to have access. If your hose is stuck and you can’t detach it, you can report it using the maintenance request form. 

Thanks, and happy gardening,   

Lily   

Maintenance request form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyjHBH_xBH229AVwmqTE-2L3znGrLwn3TNJfw2ri9T01MMfA/viewform 

Previous emails:  https://eagleheightsgardens.blogspot.com/ 

Gardening resources: https://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardens/organic-growing/