From the Registrar: April 28, 2025

Hello Gardeners,

Rhubarb leaves are not edible: If you are not already familiar with rhubarb, it is cultivated for the stalks of the plant. The leaves are toxic because they contain large amounts of oxalic acid, and they should not be eaten. The stalks are often sweetened and cooked in pies and other desserts. The leaves should be cut off at the time the stalks are harvested. The leaves can be used as mulch or can be put in the weed pile. More information and identification photos can be found here: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/rhubarb-rheum-rhabarbarum/

Workday opportunity: There will be a workday on Sunday 5/4 from 9 am to 12 pm at Eagle Heights Gardens. Six volunteers are needed. Please email me if you’re interested and I will assign the spots in the order I receive replies.

The work will be clearing brush and weeds in some common areas of the garden. Volunteers should wear long sleeves and bring gloves. The group will meet at the EH garden shed at 9 am.

If you are new to the gardens: Each plot is responsible for one workday each season (or you can choose to pay a fee instead). The workdays are scheduled and led by the garden workers throughout the season. I send emails out with the days and times, and you can sign up by replying to me. Sometimes the spots fill up quickly, but we will keep scheduling more. Please let me know if you have any questions about this.

Hoses and tools in paths: It will not be too long before mowing of the paths begins, so please remember to keep all your belongings in your plot. Hoses left in the path may be mowed. At Eagle Heights your hose needs to be in your plot and disconnected from the spigot, and at University Houses it needs to be returned to the reel. Plants that are growing outside the border of your plot could also be mowed.

Communal tools: Please remember to return all communal tools to the sheds when you are done using them for the day so other gardeners can use them. If they are left in the mulch piles, they can be buried, and this causes the wooden handles to rot.

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/

From the Registrar: April 24, 2025

Hello Gardeners,

Plant sale this Sunday! The cool weather plant sale with Blue Moon Community Farm will be this Sunday, April 27th. Here is their plant list: https://www.bluemooncommunityfarm.com/media/site/030c761af7-1738416830/2025-blue-moon-seedlings.pdf 

• The plant sale will be at Eagle Heights Gardens by the entrance from 10 am to 12 pm.
• They accept Cash, Checks, Credit Cards, and Venmo
• We are getting a nice deal on their pricing: Plants are $4.00 per unit (pot or 4-pack)
• Volume discount (mix and match) 6 for $22.00, flat of 18 for $60.00 There will be cooler season vegetables, onions, and herbs. They will probably bring a few warmer weather plants, like tomatoes, as well. However, warm weather plants should not be planted outside until late May. There will be a warm weather plant sale on Sunday, May 18th.
• I will be selling row cover at EH Gardens during the plant sale. The pieces are approximately 7 ft x 20 ft and they are $5 each, CASH ONLY. Please bring exact change if possible.

Water: The water at UH gardens is on, and the plumbers will turn on the water at EH gardens today. The water system is old and gets a lot of use. In the spring new leaks and problems are often discovered as soon as the water is turned on, so we will be monitoring it. Please note that the water in the Gardens is safe for watering plants but is not considered potable.

Organic reminder: Gardens must be managed organically. Organic gardening means that no chemical insecticides, fertilizers, herbicides, or fungicides can be used. All products must be approved for organic use. This includes bagged soil brought in for raised beds. 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 good resource for more ideas about organic gardening: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6220

Wood chips: Wood chip at both gardens are running very low. We will get more wood chips at UH Gardens next week. We will be getting more delivered to EH Gardens as soon as possible. We rely on deliveries from tree service companies at their convenience.

Maintenance reporting form: Use this form throughout the season to report maintenance issues. Using this form (rather than emailing me) sends the information directly to all employees. The link to this form is also on our website, and I will include it with future email updates:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyjHBH_xBH229AVwmqTE-2L3znGrLwn3TNJfw2ri9T01MMfA/viewform

Use the maintenance reporting form for things like: 

• Water issues: Leaks, dripping faucets, non-functioning water, etc.
• Reporting trees that need removal
• Trees fallen on plots
• Broken things in common areas

Do not use this maintenance reporting form for: 

• Plot border questions
• Gardening questions
• Reporting weedy plots
• University Apartments maintenance requests (Here is their form: https://www.housing.wisc.edu/apartments/maintenance/ )

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/

From the Registrar: April 17, 2025

Hello Gardeners,

Water: We are expecting the UW Plumbers to turn on the water in both gardens next week. We don’t get to choose when the plumbers come to do the work, because they have to prioritize campus buildings. Each spring new leaks and problems are discovered as soon as the water is turned on, so it can be unpredictable. I will share any updates that I have as quickly as I’m able.

Plant sale details: The cool weather plant sale at Eagle Heights Garden is coming up on Sunday, April 27th. Blue Moon Community Farm will be there from 10 am to 12 pm with cooler season vegetables, onions, and herbs. They will probably bring a few warmer weather plants, like tomatoes, as well. Warm weather plants should not be planted outside until late May. There will also be a warm weather plant sale on Sunday, May 18th.

Here is their plant list: https://www.bluemooncommunityfarm.com/media/site/030c761af7-1738416830/2025-blue-moon-seedlings.pdf
We are getting a nice deal on their pricing: Plants are $4.00 per unit (pot or 4-pack)
Volume discount (mix and match) 6 for $22.00, flat of 18 for $60.00
They accept Cash, Checks, Credit Cards, and Venmo

Ticks: We’ve heard some early reports of ticks this year. The primary concern with ticks in Wisconsin is generally deer ticks, which can carry Lyme disease. Please check for ticks and be careful. The UW Department of Entomology has extensive resources about ticks: https://wisconsin-ticks.russell.wisc.edu/

Although we often associate deer ticks with deer, Ticks often make their way to humans via smaller animals, like mice and voles. This is a great reason to limit rodent habitats in your garden. They like lots of cover to hide from predators, so tall weeds and brush will attract them. Not only can they bring ticks into your plot, but they will also quickly eat your crops. So, there is more than one good reason to discourage rodents from entering your garden!

Thanks, and happy gardening,

Lily


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

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

From the Registrar: April 14, 2025

Hello Gardeners,

I am sorry to have to be writing this message so early in the season. Unfortunately, I have received many reports of theft from garden plots in the last week. Please remember that only the gardener of a plot may enter that plot, and nothing can be removed from a plot without permission. Even if it seems like something might be abandoned or unused, it cannot be removed from a plot. If you took materials (plant supports, fencing, tools) from another plot, please return them now. Materials from common areas of the gardens should also not be taken. Only items at the share shelf are available.

Thank you,

Lily

From the Registrar: April 10, 2025

Hello Gardeners, 

Plant sales: Kristen from Blue Moon Community Farm would like two volunteers to help with each plant sale. Volunteers need to arrive at 9:30 and stay to close up after, so the total volunteer time will be from 9:30-12:30. Please let me know if you’d like to help with either plant sale. It will count as a workday, and I will give the limited spots out to gardeners in the order I receive replies. I’ll send a reminder before each sale, along with details about prices and which plants will be available. I will also be selling row cover at the cool weather plant sale. 

 

The sales will be held at Eagle Heights Gardens next to the shed: 

• Cool weather plant sale: Sun 4/27 10 am-12 pm  
• Warm weather plant sale: Sun 5/18 10 am-12 pm 

Row cover: If you’re planting transplants, they might benefit from some row cover. Row cover helps protect again transplant shock and shields new plants from direct sun. Additionally, there are a number of plants that are frost-tolerant, but they might not survive prolonged freezing temperatures, and row cover can give a little protection from this. (A frost is possible with a temperature under 36° F. A freeze can happen under 32° F, and a hard freeze under 28° F). It’s still possible to have more cold weather before Spring is over. Row cover also protects small plants from pests like flea beetles. https://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/garden_manual_v_1.12.pdf 

 

Facebook page: We have a private Facebook group for the Gardens: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eagleheightsgardens 

All gardeners are welcome to join the group. This can be a good way for gardeners to connect with each other. Some announcements are put there, but all regular communication will continue to be via email. Please continue to use the Registrar’s email to contact me: ehgardens@rso.wisc.edu 

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 on the garden paths, but not on the Nature Preserve paths. Dogs must be on a leash in all parts of the Gardens and Preserve.    

   
Please note that events that are held at the Gardens and within the Lakeshore Nature Preserve must be approved by both the Garden Committee and the Preserve.    

 

Thanks, and happy gardening,   

Lily   

From the Registrar: April 4, 2025

Hello Gardeners,  

Seed Fair: Join us for the annual Seed Fair at the Community Center tomorrow from 9am-11am! Each garden plot can get 12 free packets of seeds (plus extra flower seeds). You do not need to sign up to come to the Seed Fair. We will also have pieces of row cover for sale ($5/ea. cash only) and gardening advice available.  

 

If you drive to the Fair, you can park in the Community Center parking lot. If the lot is full, you will need to park in the gardener parking spots on Eagle Heights Drive or at Frautschi Point and walk over to the center. There is a map on this page: https://www.housing.wisc.edu/apartments/resident/community-center/    

 

Upcoming plant sales: Blue Moon Community Farm will return to the Gardens this year for plant sales. The sales will be held at Eagle Heights Gardens next to the shed. I will share more details about the sales next week. There will be two sales:  

 

Cool weather plant sale: Sun 4/27 10 am-12 pm  

Warm weather plant sale: Sun 5/18 10 am-12 pm  

Spring planting: Usually, April 15th is the day that marks when you can begin planting many things outdoors here. Some good options of seeds to plant are: Lettuce, Spinach, Peas, Carrots, Chard, and Kale. See this chart for planting information: https://eagleheightsgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/vegetable_planting_guide.pdf  

This comes from the gardening manual on our website, which is a great resource: https://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/garden_manual_v_1.12.pdf 

Gardening economically: People garden for many reasons. All reasons are good! Some gardeners may be interested in reducing food costs. Can a garden help with this? Possibly, depending on what you grow, and how you do it. Many new gardeners ask what supplies they should buy for their garden plots. While there are many things that can be bought for a garden, it's not required to have a successful and productive garden. We have communal tools and carts, and free seeds and mulch. Time and labor must be considered too, so the more efficient the garden, the better. Mulching your garden well is one way to help with this. It will reduce the amount of time spent weeding. As the planting season goes on, I’ll continue to send information about what and how gardeners might choose to plant. 

Thanks, and happy gardening,   

Lily   

From the Registrar: April 1, 2025

Hello Gardeners, 

Important date reminders:  

• Opening day in the gardens will be this Saturday, April 5th.  
• The Seed Fair will be held at the Community Center this Saturday April 5th from 9 am to 11 am.
   

Row cover sale: We’ll be selling row cover at the Seed Fair. The pieces are approximately 7 ft x 20 ft and they are $5 each, CASH ONLY. Please bring exact change if possible. 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    

 

Plot markers and corner posts: Please don’t move your numbered plot marker or the corner posts of your plot. The numbered markers are not just for the gardeners of the plots. They also help new gardeners find their way around the gardens, and they help the garden juries correctly identify plots. The corner posts permanently mark plot borders.   

 

Plants and fences can extend to the border only in the front of the plot. On all other sides there must be six inches of space left as a path (so there are 12 inches between plots). Please check your borders at the beginning of the season. It is much easier to move things early in the year, before plants begin to grow. Remember also that plants can grow larger than anticipated, so they should not be planted too close to the borders. 

Water: The water at both gardens is usually turned on in late April, when we can be certain there’s no chance of the pipes freezing. Some of the water pipes entering the gardens are above ground, and the rest are only buried very shallowly. I will send out a notice when we have requested that the plumbers turn it on. If you need water for early planting, bringing jugs of water to your plot is helpful. 

 

Thanks, and happy gardening,   

Lily