Hello Gardeners,
Workday opportunity at Eagle Heights: There will be a workday at Eagle Heights Garden this Saturday 4/13 from 9 am to 12 pm to begin sorting the weed pile for proper disposal. Volunteers will be working with a Garden Committee member to sort the pile into: wood for chipping or use in the gardens, trash, organic matter for removal to a composting site, and dirt that will be returned to plots. Volunteers should be prepared to encounter rodents in the weed pile while sorting. Please bring good work gloves and long-coverage clothing. We would like six volunteers and the group will meet at the garden shed at 9 am. Email me if you’re interested, and I will assign spots in the order of replies.
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. This gardening manual is an excellent guide for planting: https://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/garden_manual_v_1.12.pdf
If you’re planting transplants, they might benefit from some row cover. There are a number of plants that are frost-tolerant, but they might not survive prolonged freezing temperatures. (A frost is possible with a temperature under 36° F. A freeze can happen under 32° F, and a hard frost 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. We are currently working on cutting more row cover for sale: https://eagleheightsgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/row_cover_handout.pdf
Thanks, and happy gardening,
Lily
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Thursday, April 4, 2024
From the Registrar: April 4, 2024
Hello Gardeners,
Seed Fair this Saturday! The Seed Fair will be held at the Community Center this Saturday April 6th from 9 AM to 11 AM. Each plot will receive free packets of seeds. If you drive, 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 and walk over to the center. Please join us! If you are not familiar with the location already, there is information and a map on this page: https://www.housing.wisc.edu/apartments/resident/community-center/
No plants in the trash: Please remember to put all plant waste in the weed piles, and never in the dumpsters. A large quantity of plants was found in the dumpster at Eagle Heights Gardens last week.
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
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
Seed Fair this Saturday! The Seed Fair will be held at the Community Center this Saturday April 6th from 9 AM to 11 AM. Each plot will receive free packets of seeds. If you drive, 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 and walk over to the center. Please join us! If you are not familiar with the location already, there is information and a map on this page: https://www.housing.wisc.edu/apartments/resident/community-center/
No plants in the trash: Please remember to put all plant waste in the weed piles, and never in the dumpsters. A large quantity of plants was found in the dumpster at Eagle Heights Gardens last week.
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
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
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
From the Registrar: March 29, 2024
Hello Gardeners,
Cancellations and refunds: If you find that you won’t be able to garden this season, or you no longer want to, you can receive a refund if you cancel your plot assignment by May 1st. Cancelled plots will be reassigned to new gardeners.
Plot markers and corner posts: Please don’t move your numbered plot marker or the corner posts of your plot. The 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 are essential for identifying 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. We will be checking plots throughout the season to make sure that the six inches are allowed for on the sides and back.
Upcoming plant sales: Blue Moon Community Farm will return this year to hold plant sales. The sales will be at Eagle Heights Gardens next to the shed. There will be two sales:
Seed Fair reminder: The annual Seed Fair will be held at the Community Center next Saturday April 6th from 9 AM to 11 AM. Each plot will be entitled to some free packets of seeds.
Thanks, and happy gardening,
Lily
Cancellations and refunds: If you find that you won’t be able to garden this season, or you no longer want to, you can receive a refund if you cancel your plot assignment by May 1st. Cancelled plots will be reassigned to new gardeners.
Plot markers and corner posts: Please don’t move your numbered plot marker or the corner posts of your plot. The 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 are essential for identifying 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. We will be checking plots throughout the season to make sure that the six inches are allowed for on the sides and back.
Upcoming plant sales: Blue Moon Community Farm will return this year to hold plant sales. The sales will be at Eagle Heights Gardens next to the shed. There will be two sales:
- Cool weather plant sale: Sun 4/28 10 AM-1 pm
- Warm weather plant sale: Sun 5/19 10 AM-1 pm
Seed Fair reminder: The annual Seed Fair will be held at the Community Center next Saturday April 6th from 9 AM to 11 AM. Each plot will be entitled to some free packets of seeds.
Thanks, and happy gardening,
Lily
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
From the Registrar: March 23, 2024
Hello Gardeners,
New gardener orientation times: All new gardeners need to sign up for an orientation. I’ve listed the orientations below that we have scheduled so far. Please reply to sign up for a time at the site where your plot is located. If none of the times work for you, please tell me, and we can arrange something else.
Facebook page: We now have a private Facebook group for the Gardens: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eagleheightsgardens
All gardeners are welcome to join the group if they are interested. We are hoping this will be a good way to help gardeners connect with each other. All regular communication will continue to be via email, and please continue to use the Registrar’s email to contact me: ehgardens@rso.wisc.edu.
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. 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.
Important date reminders:
Lily
New gardener orientation times: All new gardeners need to sign up for an orientation. I’ve listed the orientations below that we have scheduled so far. Please reply to sign up for a time at the site where your plot is located. If none of the times work for you, please tell me, and we can arrange something else.
- Eagle Heights orientations:
- Saturday March 30, 10 am
- Saturday March 30, 12 pm
- Sunday March 31, 9 am
- Saturday April 6, 11:30 am
- *Saturday April 6, 11:30 am Chinese language orientation* (Please note that this orientation will be held entirely in Chinese. All other times will be held in English.) University Houses gardeners are welcome at this orientation also for general information.
- Sunday April 7, 10 am
- Wednesday April 10, 5 pm
- University Houses orientations:
- Saturday, March 30, 9 am
- Sunday, March 31, 9 am
- Monday, April 1, 5 pm
- Saturday April 6, 11:30 am
- Sunday, April 7, 9 am
- Wednesday April 10, 5 pm
Facebook page: We now have a private Facebook group for the Gardens: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eagleheightsgardens
All gardeners are welcome to join the group if they are interested. We are hoping this will be a good way to help gardeners connect with each other. All regular communication will continue to be via email, and please continue to use the Registrar’s email to contact me: ehgardens@rso.wisc.edu.
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. 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.
Important date reminders:
- Opening day in the gardens will be Saturday, March 30th.
- The Seed Fair will be held at the Community Center on Saturday April 6th from 9 am to 11 am.
Lily
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
From the Registrar: March 12, 2024
Hello Gardeners,
Welcome to the Gardens for the 2024 gardening season!
Opening day: Opening day in the gardens will be Saturday, March 30th. The portable toilets will be delivered to both gardens before opening day. The parking signs on Eagle Heights drive have been changed to allow 4-hour parking for Eagle Heights Gardens on the south side of the street. Parking is available in the small lot by University Houses Gardens.
*Orientations for new gardeners will begin on opening day. I will send out a schedule soon with dates and times.
Seed Fair: The annual Seed Fair will be held at the Community Center on Saturday April 6th from 9 AM to 11 AM. Each plot will be entitled to some free packets of seeds. We receive the seeds as generous donations from seed companies each year. I hope to see you all there!
If you are interested in volunteering to help at the Seed Fair, please let me know. The volunteering time will be from 8:15 AM to Noon and it counts as a workday. I will assign available volunteer spots in the order I receive replies.
Some branches of the Madison Public Library are also handing out free seeds if you’re interested. Details can be found here: https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/collections/dane-county-seed-library
Where does waste go in the Gardens? We would like to start this season by making sure that everyone knows where to put different kinds of waste in the Gardens. This is extremely important for keeping the Gardens operating. Partly due to incorrect dumping in the past, we now have some large weed piles that must be sorted by hand before they can be taken away.
WEEDS/PLANT MATTER: Go in the weed piles. Only plant matter can be dumped in these piles. Dirt must be removed from roots. If there is dirt, trash, or sticks in the weed piles they cannot be taken away to a composting site. Sorting the piles is time consuming, and paying for removal can be costly.
TRASH: Goes in the trash dumpsters. If weeds and plants are put in the dumpsters, we may receive a fine.
STICKS: Go in the stick barrels/piles. These piles are for gardeners to take sticks as plant supports. Please do not take sticks out of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve outside the Gardens.
Planting Season: Most years, on opening day it is still too early to do much in the gardens. This year is very warm and may be an exception. However, it could still snow again before spring is here. Even if it is warm in general, there will still be a danger of frost into May that could kill many plants. If you are new to gardening, or if you want a reminder about different planting dates, this is good resource:
http://eagleheightsgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/vegetable_planting_guide.pdf
You can find many other useful documents on this page also if you’re interested:
http://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardens/organic-growing/
If you do decide to start cleaning up and preparing your garden before the planting season begins, try not to walk on or disturb the soil too much while it’s still wet from the snow thawing. This will compact the soil, which is not good for plants. Marking your paths early in the season to avoid walking in the planting areas can help keep your soil healthy.
If you are interested in more information about preparing your garden, please start on page 38 of the garden manual: https://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/garden_manual_v_1.12.pdf
Thanks, and happy gardening,
Lily
Welcome to the Gardens for the 2024 gardening season!
Opening day: Opening day in the gardens will be Saturday, March 30th. The portable toilets will be delivered to both gardens before opening day. The parking signs on Eagle Heights drive have been changed to allow 4-hour parking for Eagle Heights Gardens on the south side of the street. Parking is available in the small lot by University Houses Gardens.
*Orientations for new gardeners will begin on opening day. I will send out a schedule soon with dates and times.
Seed Fair: The annual Seed Fair will be held at the Community Center on Saturday April 6th from 9 AM to 11 AM. Each plot will be entitled to some free packets of seeds. We receive the seeds as generous donations from seed companies each year. I hope to see you all there!
If you are interested in volunteering to help at the Seed Fair, please let me know. The volunteering time will be from 8:15 AM to Noon and it counts as a workday. I will assign available volunteer spots in the order I receive replies.
Some branches of the Madison Public Library are also handing out free seeds if you’re interested. Details can be found here: https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/collections/dane-county-seed-library
Where does waste go in the Gardens? We would like to start this season by making sure that everyone knows where to put different kinds of waste in the Gardens. This is extremely important for keeping the Gardens operating. Partly due to incorrect dumping in the past, we now have some large weed piles that must be sorted by hand before they can be taken away.
WEEDS/PLANT MATTER: Go in the weed piles. Only plant matter can be dumped in these piles. Dirt must be removed from roots. If there is dirt, trash, or sticks in the weed piles they cannot be taken away to a composting site. Sorting the piles is time consuming, and paying for removal can be costly.
TRASH: Goes in the trash dumpsters. If weeds and plants are put in the dumpsters, we may receive a fine.
STICKS: Go in the stick barrels/piles. These piles are for gardeners to take sticks as plant supports. Please do not take sticks out of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve outside the Gardens.
Planting Season: Most years, on opening day it is still too early to do much in the gardens. This year is very warm and may be an exception. However, it could still snow again before spring is here. Even if it is warm in general, there will still be a danger of frost into May that could kill many plants. If you are new to gardening, or if you want a reminder about different planting dates, this is good resource:
http://eagleheightsgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/vegetable_planting_guide.pdf
You can find many other useful documents on this page also if you’re interested:
http://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardens/organic-growing/
If you do decide to start cleaning up and preparing your garden before the planting season begins, try not to walk on or disturb the soil too much while it’s still wet from the snow thawing. This will compact the soil, which is not good for plants. Marking your paths early in the season to avoid walking in the planting areas can help keep your soil healthy.
If you are interested in more information about preparing your garden, please start on page 38 of the garden manual: https://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/garden_manual_v_1.12.pdf
Thanks, and happy gardening,
Lily
Friday, December 15, 2023
From the Registrar: December 14, 2023
Hello Gardeners,
Applications for the 2024 gardening season will be available starting tomorrow, December 15th! Paper copies will be available, and applications will also be on the website to print (they will not be available yet if you check today):
https://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardeners/plot-applications/
If you gardened in 2023 and you want to renew your plot for 2024, you will need to submit a renewal application and fee payment no later than February 15th of 2024.
Please be on time if you want to renew. I want to help everyone keep their garden plots if they want them! 2/15 is a fixed deadline, and it’s not within my power to make exceptions. If a renewal application is received after 2/15, it must be put in line with all new applications and there is no guarantee that a plot will be available. I try to help late applicants if I can do so within the rules, but sometimes gardeners do lose their plots due to turning in their renewal application late. If you plan to mail your application, please get it in the mail in advance of the deadline.
Please note also that all payments must be made payable to "Division of University Housing", and we can only accept the following forms of payment: checks (no starter checks), cashier's checks, and money orders. UW Housing processes all of the Garden fees and these are their requirements.
The Community Center will be undergoing some remodeling in December, and as a result the location for drop-off of completed applications will vary:
Madison, WI
53705
611 Eagle Heights
Madison WI, 53705
(If you mail your application during the time period that the Community Center is closed it will be redirected to the Apartment Facilities office and I will pick it up there).
Please email me with any questions.
Planning next season’s garden can be a nice way to get through the cold weather and short days! This garden planning tool from Johnny’s might be helpful if you’re interested: https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/methods-tools-supplies/market-gardening/planning-plotting-your-market-or-backyard-garden.html
Best,
Lily
Applications for the 2024 gardening season will be available starting tomorrow, December 15th! Paper copies will be available, and applications will also be on the website to print (they will not be available yet if you check today):
https://eagleheightsgardens.org/gardeners/plot-applications/
If you gardened in 2023 and you want to renew your plot for 2024, you will need to submit a renewal application and fee payment no later than February 15th of 2024.
Please be on time if you want to renew. I want to help everyone keep their garden plots if they want them! 2/15 is a fixed deadline, and it’s not within my power to make exceptions. If a renewal application is received after 2/15, it must be put in line with all new applications and there is no guarantee that a plot will be available. I try to help late applicants if I can do so within the rules, but sometimes gardeners do lose their plots due to turning in their renewal application late. If you plan to mail your application, please get it in the mail in advance of the deadline.
Please note also that all payments must be made payable to "Division of University Housing", and we can only accept the following forms of payment: checks (no starter checks), cashier's checks, and money orders. UW Housing processes all of the Garden fees and these are their requirements.
The Community Center will be undergoing some remodeling in December, and as a result the location for drop-off of completed applications will vary:
- From Dec 15, 2023 to Dec 22, 2023 the Community Center will be open. Applications will be in the foyer and applications and payment can be put in the secure drop box.
- From Dec 23, 2023 to Jan 1, 2024 completed applications and payment can be dropped off at the Apartment Facilities office:
Madison, WI
53705
- Beginning on Jan 2, 2024 the Community Center will be open again and the drop box in the foyer can be used again.
- Applications and payment can also be mailed to:
611 Eagle Heights
Madison WI, 53705
(If you mail your application during the time period that the Community Center is closed it will be redirected to the Apartment Facilities office and I will pick it up there).
Please email me with any questions.
Planning next season’s garden can be a nice way to get through the cold weather and short days! This garden planning tool from Johnny’s might be helpful if you’re interested: https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/methods-tools-supplies/market-gardening/planning-plotting-your-market-or-backyard-garden.html
Best,
Lily
Thursday, November 2, 2023
From the Registrar: November 2, 2023
Hello Gardeners,
Parking availability extended along Eagle Heights Drive: University Apartments has agreed to extend the gardener parking along Eagle Heights Drive for Eagle Heights gardeners until Nov 15th due to the delay in leaf mulch deliveries. After 11/15 no parking will be permitted there for the remainder of the winter. Parking is also still available at University Houses.
Leaves delivered: I’m pleased to be able to say that the leaf mulch deliveries have begun. It also looks like we will have some nice weather this weekend to put the Gardens to bed. It’s not too late to plant garlic if you haven’t yet. http://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/garden_manual_v_1.12.pdf (page 80)
Please remember to return all tools and carts to the sheds after you use them. They will be put inside for the winter. If they are abandoned in the snow all winter the handles will rot.
Translation and/or proofreading request: We are in need of some translation and proofreading for the 2024 applications. We need the following:
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/org
Parking availability extended along Eagle Heights Drive: University Apartments has agreed to extend the gardener parking along Eagle Heights Drive for Eagle Heights gardeners until Nov 15th due to the delay in leaf mulch deliveries. After 11/15 no parking will be permitted there for the remainder of the winter. Parking is also still available at University Houses.
Leaves delivered: I’m pleased to be able to say that the leaf mulch deliveries have begun. It also looks like we will have some nice weather this weekend to put the Gardens to bed. It’s not too late to plant garlic if you haven’t yet. http://www.eagleheightsgardens.org/tips/garden_manual_v_1.12.pdf (page 80)
Please remember to return all tools and carts to the sheds after you use them. They will be put inside for the winter. If they are abandoned in the snow all winter the handles will rot.
Translation and/or proofreading request: We are in need of some translation and proofreading for the 2024 applications. We need the following:
- A translator to update the Chinese application with changes for 2024.
- A proofreader for the 2024 Spanish application.
- A proofreader for the 2024 Turkish application.
- Other translations of the application in any language are always welcome! If you are interested in translating the application into a language that we do not have available yet, please let me know.
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/org
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