From the Garden Registrar: More on Fall Crops, Bad Plots, and Produce Picking

Hello Gardeners,

MORE ON FALL CROPS – One of our more experienced gardeners pointed out to me that she’s had good luck planting fall crops up until the middle of August. The first frosts in October are usually light and don’t kill the more cold-tolerant plants. In fact, some crops, such as kale, are improved by having been frosted. Your exact location in the gardens could make a difference – this gardener is fairly high up, and her crops may have survived frosts that killed plants in plots in lower spaces in the garden. One or two degrees in temperature can make a big difference. She also mentioned that she’s had good luck planting spinach late in the season. If she covers it over the winter, it comes back in the spring.

BAD PLOTS – With the heavy rains and hot days, everything is growing fast in our gardens, including the weeds. Many gardeners have worked hard to keep up, and thank you! But some gardeners seem to have given up the fight and have let their plots go. I know it’s been hot and now it’s turned buggy as well. But please remember that abandoned plots are bad for the gardens. If you are leaving town or giving up your plot for any reason, please let me know as soon as possible. I will try to find a new gardener for your space. 

Also, if there is a very weedy plot in your garden neighborhood, please email me the plot number. I’ll take a look at it and send the gardener an email if I agree with you that the garden needs attention. It’s a rule in our gardens: “WEEDS MUST BE KEPT UNDER CONTROL.”

PRODUCE PICKING - Also, it’s just as important for you to keep picking your produce. Remember – if it’s more than you want, you can leave extras on the share shelf, or take them to a food pantry, such as St. Vincent de Paul. (But if it’s already too old to be worth eating, then it’s time to compost it.) It’s terrible to waste food when there are so many hungry people, even here in Madison. The food pantry staff and their customers really appreciate fresh, organic, good quality vegetables. And leaving ripe and over-ripe produce in your plot attracts animal pests. The voles are already fat enough – they don’t need the extra calories.

WORKDAYS –  I’ll send out a separate email with workday information when I have it.

Happy gardening, everyone.

Kathryn

From the Garden Registrar: Haight Road Reconstruction, Annoying Insect of the Week, Swiss Chard, Fall Crops

Hello Gardeners,

HAIGHT ROAD RECONSTRUCTION – This project was originally expected to interrupt parking in the University Houses area for only one week, but the heavy rains we’ve had this summer have caused major delays to the work. Plus, the heaviest rains washed away the gravel base for the new road, and so that work had to be done over again. The street now has asphalt on it, and the project should finally be completed by August 15. There won’t be as many staff vehicles in the parking lot at this point as there were at the peak of the project, but University Houses gardeners are welcome to park on the basketball court, if they can’t find any other spaces. University Houses staff apologize for the inconvenience to gardeners and residents.

ANNOYING INSECT OF THE WEEK – Mosquitoes have now arrived at the gardens, after a fairly mosquito-free early summer. Did you know that Wisconsin is home to 56 varieties of mosquitoes? And they’re probably all in your plot. (Actually, many of those varieties are rare, or do not bite humans). Mosquitoes are very annoying and can carry deadly diseases, but they are also an important source of food for fish, birds, and bats. The most effective repellents contain DEET, a strong chemical that some people believe is hazardous to human health.  Natural repellents, such as plant oils like citronella or lemon eucalyptus, are safer for humans, but generally not as effective or as long-lasting. Why do mosquitoes seem to target some people and leave others alone? Scientists are still studying that.

SWISS CHARD – Chard is a member of the beet family – grown for its leaves rather than its roots. It is very healthy, easy to grow, and delicious. It’s generally a spring crop, but we planted ours late, and it’s continuing to give us big, good-tasting leaves. It’s a popular vegetable in the Mediterranean area. (It may be called “Swiss” because it was classified by a Swiss botanist.) Besides recipes specifically calling for chard, you can also substitute it for other greens, such as spinach. Here is a link to information and recipes:  http://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-and-Cook-Swiss-Chard

FALL CROPS – We may be sweating (and swatting mosquitoes) this week, but if you’re thinking of planting fall crops, keep in mind that the typical first frost date in our area is October 4 – 10. There is still plenty of time to plant quicker crops, such as lettuce, radishes, and spinach. You could also try carrots, beets/chard, or other greens, but it’s already getting kind of late in the season for these.

WORKDAYS –  This week’s workday will be Saturday, August 6, at Eagle Heights, 7am – 10am. The task will be weeding trees and working on the weed pile. Please bring gloves. Here’s the link to sign up: http://doodle.com/poll/qaswnfcqx6ag64e7

Happy gardening, everyone.

Kathryn