September, 2025

 Eagle Heights Garden Committee Minutes

September 10, 2025  7 PM

Remote Meeting

Pam, Nick, Jolene, Rhonda, Ann, Barb A, Lily and Karen.

Minutes  With a motion by Lily and seconded by Ann the June 2025 minutes were approved. 

Presentation by Rhonda James from UW Landscape Architecture regarding access to Physical Plant storage facility south of EHG.

With the construction of the new Frautschi Center for the Preserve, Grounds needs a new entrance to their storage facility. The only option is to create a second road parallel to the south road at EHG that goes to the weed/leaf piles. The new road would run parallel to the garden road and veer off to cut through the berm into the storage area. There are a variety of concerns, with safety being foremost. There would be a fence separating the roads for the entire length to protect people on foot from trucks. The entrance would be reworked. Currently there are a lot of issues with drainage and water runoff from EH drive. It would be nice to resolve this as a part of the project. Construction will likely begin in the spring of 2026. A construction fence will be up for the project. 

Registrar Update

Lily suggests adding castor bean to the list of prohibited plants. The committee agreed.

Lily met with the Bee Hotel group. The project will be managed by a graduate student in entomology that will be at the UW for another 2.5 years. At that point the project will be evaluated by the garden and the University to see if it should be continued. The student will monitor and maintain the bee hotel quarterly. The suggested location for the bee hotel is in the daylily patch by the EH shed. The committee discussed other bee hotels in the gardens. It was decided that only bee hotels that are part of a Preserve-approved research project will be permitted in the gardens. Any other bee hotels must come down. Barb A pointed out that the daylily patch needs to be cleaned up. Lily is having a volunteer work on this. 

The 600s row needs to be redrawn like the 500s row was last year. The committee agreed. Lily will draw up a proposed map. 

A gardener wants to volunteer with a group of coworkers to do a workday in the gardens. The committee decided that this would not be allowed in common areas. The gardener can do this in her own plot however. 

A trail camera in the 1300s row caught images of produce theft. Initially the gardener was asked to remove the camera to comply with Preserve rules. However, the new director of the Preserve said that trail cameras are permitted, and gardeners can have them. The UWPD is also ok with this. Theft has been a serious issue lately. The garden committee can decide on the garden's rules regarding this. The committee was undecided at this time and will revisit the issue.

Garden Worker Report

The 1300s water line has been replaced and is mostly done. There are a couple of small leaks but they will be fixed tomorrow. The committee was impressed by the work.

Motion by Lily and seconded by Pam to adjourn which passed.

Adjourned about 7:56 pm

Submitted by Karen, subject to correction by the Garden Committee

August, 2025

 Eagle Heights Garden Committee Minutes

August 13, 2025  7 PM

Remote Meeting

Pam, Nick, Ann, Barb A, Lily, Alex and Karen.

Alex started the meeting.

Minutes  With a motion by Barb A and seconded by Lily the June 2025 minutes were approved. 

Registrar Update

There are seven vacant plots at UH and one applicant in line for EH. The applicant will probably be assigned a plot this week. 

Bean beetles have been reported at UH but not at EH so far. There are questions about buying parasitic wasps this late in the season. We order them from the NJ dept of Agriculture, and once they arrive it takes a while for them to have any effect on the bean beetle population. It may get cold before any benefits are seen and the wasps don't survive frost. Barb A suggests asking entomologist PJ for advice. She will share his contact information with Lily.

GreenFund, a sustainability organization on campus, has proposed putting a bee hotel in EHG near the entrance. Barb A suggest caution regarding bee hotels because if they are not properly maintained and cleaned they can harm bees. She will share information with Lily about this and Lily will ask for more details at the meeting with GreenFund.

The temporary food service permit has not been approved yet for the tomato tasting this year as new questions have arisen. If the tasting is held, any participants that are not UW students are employees will have to sign an assumption of risk form. Only trained employees will be allowed to handle or cut the tomatoes. The committee decided not to hold the tomato tasting this year.

The draft of the 2026 application was reviewed. The detailed ground cover definition was approved. The pilot financial assistance program was discussed. The committee liked the income brackets used that are based on Dane Co. housing assistance brackets (like the Gardens Network uses). Half fee and quarter fee assistance will be offered while funds last. The same priority system that is used for applications will be used for financial assistance. Any leftover funds will be carried over into the next year. Since this will be the first time the program is trialed, we will have to see how it goes, both logistically and with regards to donations and assistance applications. 

Lily proposed an anti-theft sign for the gardens. The committee approved. She will make this sign in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean.

The lengths of hoses needed for UH were measured. In total we need about 1500 ft of hoses for the garden. If we buy 500 now we can replace the ones that need it the most. Heavy-duty contractor hoses (Gempler brand) would be ordered. Karen proposed a budget of $1000. Barb A seconded.

Garden Worker Report

Pam has been using the new mower at EH. She'll be leading a workday next weekend. How long does it take to mow the gardens? Pam said that EH takes eight hours and UH takes two and a half hours. 

Nick said that work is being done on the 1300s water line, including the shutoff to the Grounds Nursery water line. The length for the new line was measured and work will begin soon. A ditch witch may or may not be needed for the trench.

The green mower is still broken. There is the BCS tractor that Dining uses that belongs to the garden. Perhaps this could be used to clear brush.

Additional topics

Barb A reports that the black and gold bumble bees like the comfrey by the arbor garden and says thanks for not removing it. Also, Mark has found another umbrella for the picnic tables at EH. 

The windrow composting is not working on the concrete pad due to lack of heavy equipment and gardeners dumping weeds outside of the area. Moving the composting down the hill to the Dining Farm may be necessary.

Lily will bring the natural playground proposal to the next GOC meeting.

Motion by Barb A and seconded by Lily to adjourn which passed.

Adjourned about 7:45 pm

Submitted by Karen, subject to correction by the Garden Committee

July, 2025

 Eagle Heights Garden Committee Minutes

July 9, 2025  7 PM

Remote Meeting

 

Pam, Zach, Ann, Barb A, Lily, Alex and Karen.

Alex started the meeting.

Minutes  With a motion by Lily and seconded by Barb A the June 2025 minutes were approved. 

Registrar Update

A meeting was held about the leaf mulch situation with Teri from Shorewood, Rhonda, Lily, and Malachi. The meeting went well. Although we can't get any more leaves this year, we can expect to get more loads that last year in the fall and they will begin deliveries earlier. 

There area a few empty plots at UH. There are three people on the waitlist for EH. 

The Garden's Network reached out about the possibility of a tour at EH for people from outside of the gardens. Lily would give this tour if we did this. The Committee approved.

The windrow composting will begin soon. The tarps that we ordered have arrived. The pile for UH has been moved.

We received a proposal from a gardener and teacher at Eagle's Wing about the possibility of a natural play structure. The two locations proposed were either by the sandbox or in the former 400s. Lily will share the proposal. The Committee agreed to the play area pending approval by the GOC.

There have not been reports of bean beetles yet this season. The Committee approved the purchase of parasitic wasp larvae if they are needed this season. Motion by Ann and seconded by Karen.

Garden Worker Report

Pam is doing a lot of mowing. She has also led some workdays. Zach is using the riding mower for the main paths and edges. Zach also repaired the share shelf with Chris (volunteer) and is now waiting to get some paint to finish the shelf. Hopefully the other one can be completed this season also. Zach also power washed the memorial while working on the shelf.

Pam, Lily, Zach, and Nick will meet on Friday to talk about the 1300s water line project. 

Karen proposed buying a new mower, since we are having so many issues with the current ones. Zach suggested a Toro might be a good option. Pam would prefer a lighter mower. Lily will check with Sean in Apartment Facilities to see if their team has any recommendations. The Committee agreed to a budget of $500 for a new mower. Motion by Ann, seconded by Karen. It was decided that an electric mower would not be powerful enough to get through the tall grass. 

It was agreed to plan for the Tomato Tasting in late August. Lily will apply for the temporary food service permit.

Motion by Barb A and seconded by Lily to adjourn which passed.

Adjourned about 7:33 pm

Submitted by Karen, subject to correction by the Garden Committee

June, 2025

 Eagle Heights Garden Committee Minutes

June 11, 2025  7 PM

Remote Meeting

Lily, Jolene, Pam, Jessica, Zach, Barb A, Nick, Alex and Karen.

Jessica started the meeting.

Minutes  With a motion by Lily and seconded by Barb A the May 2025 minutes were approved. 

Registrar Update

A gardener suggested we have a guided tour of the gardens.  Discussion ensued. What about having an open house? Does the gardener who suggested this want to be involved?  Lily will find out. Maybe we could do this later in the season.

Another gardener suggested we have accessible raised beds.  After discussion, we thought if it was possible the plots would have to be at University Houses because it is close to the parking.  The real problem is the lack of a paved p[ath to the plot area.  The rough paths could be dangerous.  Jolene suggested we talk to the McBurney Center for advice.  Lily said she would ask.

The committee approved a graduate students request to dig for Japanese beetle grubs in the common areas of the garden after they get the proper permit from the Preserve.

Budget review for 2025-2026

After reviewing the proposed budget for next year which is the same as last year, the committee agreed to accept it.  We are slowly spending down our surplus. We also have the UW Foundation account for capital expenditures.

The porta potty expense has gone up a lot.  There was discussion about putting it behind the shed a little so it might see less use. There were some concerns about proximity to garden plots and the smell. A decision was not made. There was a discussion about the hoses at University Houses .  Some of the reels are lacking springs, which keep the hose from kinking. It would be good to make sure all have springs and are in good order.  We should take an inventory and get the supplies we need for this soon. 

A University Houses gardener has covered the plot in sod.  The gardener stated that this was not against the rules. After discussion, the committee decided this is not within the intended purpose of the gardens.  As it is not exactly against the rules, it will be allowed for the season.  The rules will be modified for next year to not allow sod.  It will have to be removed next year.  Lily will send the proposed rule change about what is allowed by email.

Mulberry Tree

Physical Plant says the tree is healthy and has provided us with two choices:  Thin the tree over three years or remove the tree entirely during the winter.  

Lily asked the people near the tree and was surprised that the people near it wanted to keep it. 

Cost-

Thin the tree over three years- $450 per year

Remove in winter $3400.  (There is a problem with removal that there might be damage to the water line that heavy equipment has to cross.

The Committee agreed to have the tree trimmed over a period of three years.

Garden Worker Report

Pam said the self propelled function of the mowers do not work and one mower is very heavy.  The mowers are going to be fixed.  Zack and Nick are using the dining riding mower for the main paths.  The riding mower is set up for us to pay for gas.  We need to have the mowers checked at the end of the season so we are ready for spring.  The mowers are 5 years old and have had hard use because the gardens are so large.  We should think about a replacement schedule.  We need to check the brand and cost of a new mower now. Pam would like to replace the lighter mower first.  

Leaf Mulch

Shorewood did not deliver all the leaf mulch they said they would.  Lily will try to have a meeting with Shorewood to figure out the problem.

What is the status of the benches that the Eagle Scout was building for the gardens?  Lily will check with the person.

Nick and Zach will be cleaning up the 1300”s line to get ready to replace the line.

Motion by Barb A and seconded by Pam to adjourn which passed.

Adjourned about 7:53 pm

Submitted by Karen, subject to correction by the Garden Committee

May, 2025

 Eagle Heights Garden Committee Minutes

May 14, 2025  7 PM

Remote Meeting

Lily, Ann, Jolene, Pam, Ron, Zach, Barb A, Nick, Alex and Karen.

Alex started the meeting.

Minutes:  With a motion by Lily and seconded by Ann the April 2025 minutes were approved. 

Registrar Update

Lily says there is now a waiting list for EH gardens.  There are 3 open plots at UH, but they are shady.

A former Eagle Heights gardener is teaching a class about growing watermelons in northern climates at an off site location.  They ask if the committee would be okay informing tour gardeners about this opportunity.  The committee agreed. 

Another gardener would like to try repairing a cart bed with a mesh screen and fiberglass.  The gardener has the supplies to do one cart and see if the repair will work.  If the repair works, they would like the supplies to do more carts for their workday.  The committee agreed this was a good idea.

The garden juries will start soon and there will be a second walkthrough 2 weeks later.

Windrow Composting

The windrow composting project will need Malachai’s support.  The Committee agreed we will need a written agreement with the Dining Farm before we proceed. Some questions remaining are; Who will buy the tarps? What will the schedule be? ( The committee is concerned that adding more tasks to the Garden Working is unsustainable.) The proposal by Malachai that the gardens keep the ride on mower filled with fuel may not work because we get the fuel from Housing.  Jolene will check about the gas.

The composting will work by building the row, putting on the permeable canvas top and not turning the pile.

University Houses also has a huge weedpile.  Maybe we can do it there too.

Garden Worker Report

Pam said the mowing has begun.  She is planning one workday during the week and one on the weekend for the season. Nick also thought that schedule would be good. Some support posts by water risers are missing.  Nick will check on the missing posts.  

Zack and Chris (a gardener) will be repairing the share shelves.  More wood than expected will have to be replaced.

Pam and Lily fixed the leak in the water line last week. They need more risers and faucets to complete repairs.

Motion by Ann and seconded by Karen to spend $200 on the needed plumbing supplies.  Motion carried.

It was noted that there is a second probably buried water shut off on the 1300 that goes to the east nursery area. 

Road Erosion

The Committee would like an update from the GOC about the road erosion.  Eagle Heights Drive drains down the road through the pedestrian ramp past the shed.  In a big storm,  a lot of water comes down the road causing large ruts.  We know that gravel has been added, but the road continues to wash out. 

The drainage from University Houses parking lots also terminates near the weedpile. 

Zack said the ditch has been extended to the west along the road at the back of the 100’s.

Motion by Ron and seconded by Barb A to agree to the windrow composting if a written agreement is signed by the Dining Farms.  $1000. Is approved for tarps, fencing and other supplies. 

Motion passed.

Motion by Barb A and seconded by Ann to adjourn which passed.

Adjourned about 7:40 pm

Submitted by Karen, subject to correction by the Garden Committee