Odds and Ends, Mostly Odds

Hello Gardeners,

MISSING YOUR HAND SCYTHE? Did anyone leave a hand scythe in the grass next to the curbside parking area on Eagle Heights Drive? One of our gardeners found one on Sunday afternoon. If it’s yours, please email me and I’ll put you two in touch with each other.

THE ASPARAGUS THIEF Please be aware that we do have some thefts and vandalism in our gardens. We’ve had a report of a man stealing asparagus from numerous plots, late in the evening, using his cell phone for light, and pulling up plants to try to disguise the theft. He was seen by several gardeners who followed him, and he hasn’t been back. We have also had hoses and tomato cages stolen recently. For the safety of yourself, your tools, and your vegetables, please be alert, especially when you’re working in the evening.

DUMPSTER USE 101 A reminder – the dumpsters are for trash ONLY. Weeds must be disposed of in the weed pile, not in the dumpsters. We’re not just being fussy here – if the dumpster drivers notice there are weeds in the dumpster, they won’t empty it and we’re stuck with the garbage.

RESPECT YOUR BOUNDARIES – Please do not put anything on the posts that mark the boundaries of your plots – no fencing, string, hoses, jugs, tools, etc. Anything on the posts obscures where the boundaries are and interferes with mowing.

WORKDAYS - Our first workday for the season will be this Saturday, June 11, from 9am – Noon. The project will be pulling weeds in the tree borders. Workdays this year will be managed through Doodle Poll. This is the link to sign up for this work session:  http://doodle.com/poll/zuks6capw5qmg668

THIS WEEK’S ANNOYING INSECT is the Colorado Potato Beetle, which has been found in the 300s, 600s, 700s, and 800s at EH. These beetles are attractive (if you don’t know what they are), with yellow and black stripes. They are also voracious eaters of potato plants and their relatives, such as tomatoes and eggplants. There are some organic controls available, and we will be doing some spraying, but picking or vacuuming the insects, larvae, and eggs off your plants is also a good approach.  A thick straw mulch is helpful, partly because it attracts other insects, such as lady bugs, that eat beetles. Of course, row covers can also protect your plants.

Here's a link with pictures and suggestions: http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/5301/control-colorado-potato-beetle-with-a-mix-of-strategies

Happy gardening, everyone.

Kathryn

Hello Gardeners,

Jumping Worms II – The Sequel
Several Eagle Heights gardeners have reported finding jumping worms in their plots, and asked how they should get rid of them. According to Bernadette Williams, an invasive species specialist with the DNR, the worms should be removed from the soil, and put in a plastic bag, which is then put in the sun. The worms will be dead in 10 minutes or so, and then the bag can be put in the trash.

Also, the DNR and other agencies have developed a set of Best Management Practices for minimizing the spread of this species:

• Arrive clean, leave clean. Clean soil and debris from vehicles, equipment, gardening tools and personal gear before moving to and from a work or recreational area.
• Watch for jumping worms and signs of their presence.
• Educate yourself and others to recognize jumping worms.
• Only use, sell, plant, purchase or trade landscape and gardening materials and plants that appear to be free of jumping worms.
• Only sell, purchase or trade compost that was heated to appropriate temperatures and duration following protocols for reduction in pathogens.

Another question from gardeners: What’s putting holes in my plants’ leaves?

One answer is flea beetles, which are tiny black insects that can be very destructive, especially to young plants. But there are some organic controls. This is a link to a site with very good information (you can ignore their ads.)

http://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/garden-pests/flea-beetle-control/

Please note that we do still have row covers for sale, which protect plants from this kind of pest – they are 20 feet long, and we charge $5. Please let me know if you’d like to buy one.

A Beneficial Insect

Lastly, it has been reported that we have a large population of blue damselflies in the 1200’s in the Eagle Heights Gardens. Damselflies are similar to dragonflies, but they are smaller and slimmer. They’re beautiful to look at, and they are voracious eaters of small insects and insect larvae. Including, we hope, flea beetles.

Happy gardening, everyone.

Kathryn

Hello Gardeners,

Row Reps

Would you like to be a row representative at our community gardens?  We are looking for a few gardeners to give this volunteer role a try.

A row rep is someone who supports the garden in two ways.  The first is to build community among the gardeners in a row.  The second is to help the garden function.  The details of these two activities will depend on the community of gardeners in your row.

Building community for your row might include introducing gardeners to each other, sharing gardening experiences, or simply sharing a warm smile.  This is all about the gardeners feeling like being at the garden is not just about the produce, soil, etc., but about the people too.

Helping the garden function in your row might include: connecting a gardener with some help they need, assisting in moving items from the path to plots when the garden workers need to mow, helping gardeners understand the importance of the community’s needs (like providing a 6 inch border on their plot and access for their plot neighbors to water), etc. 

We are mostly a self-operated community.  While we have a few paid staff, they cannot possibly meet all the needs of our fellow gardeners.  This volunteer role is a great way to invest in our community.  Please consider being a row rep.  If you are interested, contact me – give me your plot number and a suggestion for the range of plots you might be able to represent.

Jumping Worms

Jumping worms are an invasive kind of earthworm that is spreading throughout gardens and natural areas in the Madison area. They are dangerous because they change the structure of the soil, and they multiply rapidly. We do have some of these jumping worms in the gardens, so please click on this link, look at the pictures and descriptions, and keep an eye out for them.

 https://arboretum.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2015/09/Public-info-sheet_Amynthas-spp_Frev150521c.pdf

Happy Gardening,

Kathryn

Dear Gardeners,
A beautiful snow last week and tundra swans on the lake means that winter is upon us. This week, we have a holiday of Thanksgiving, to pause to be thankful for the year.  Gratitude is an important contributor to human well-being and we have much to be grateful for: our harvests and friendships as well as the miracle of seeds and vigor of plants and the work of pollinators and insect-eaters and even the soil microbes.
The last workdays of the year will be this weekend: On Saturday, Nov. 28 from 1 pm to 4 pm and on Sunday, Nov. 29 from 9 am to noon. Since the offices will be closed for the holiday and this is the last opportunity to work a workday, please just come if you would like to work. The workday crew will meet at the Eagle Heights garden shed at the start time. Bring gloves and water to drink and be sure to sign in for workday credit. Check the website for cancellations before coming since the work will be somewhat weather dependent.
Every gardener, new and returning, must reapply each year. Applications for 2016 will be available on the website around Dec. 15, 2015 and the application period goes until Feb. 15, 2016. Each year, some gardeners are disappointed to find their plot has been reassigned because they forgot to reapply so please apply early. Early applications have priority over late ones and after Feb. 15, the priority system will shift to a waiting list if plots are not available.
On this special week when we celebrate all we have to be thankful for, I want to personally thank all the gardeners for working to keep the gardens a positive place to garden. The organization would not run without the many volunteers who make the difference to the garden committee, workshops, Seed Fair, common plantings, coffee pickups, Food Pantry, translation services, and many individual efforts. Please consider joining the garden committee or volunteering to help with activities, maintenance, common plantings and all the facets of this remarkable garden.
Enjoy your winter and see you in the gardens in the spring,
Gretel, Garden Registrar