May 2022

 Eagle Heights Garden Committee Minutes

May 11, 2022  7 PM

Remote Meeting

7:00 Present: Lily, Jolene, Ann, Barb L, Ninja, Jessica, Niels and Karen.

Minutes  Motion by Niels and seconded by Barb L to approve the 

April 2022 minutes. The minutes were approved. 

Registrar Update

Lily reports that there are less than 10 people on the waiting list and 10 plots have been returned for a new gardener to be assigned.  

UW rules for permanent structures are strict.  Rhonda is checking to see if Little Free Libraries are allowed in the garden.

Mark found two more umbrellas so there can be picnic tables at University Houses with umbrellas.  One of the umbrellas has been installed in the existing University Houses picnic table.  We need to get a second table for the other umbrella.  

We agreed to keep the two benches at University houses and put pavers under the legs so the wood is not in direct contact with the soil.  The exact location needs to be decided.  

The idea of putting plaques on benches as a memorial to gardeners who have passed away was discussed and the committee thought it was a good idea.  The memorial plaques are not necessarily for the benches that we have at UH. We would need a bench at EH for that and could also have one at UH but these benches are quite weathered so they might not work. The committee will need to discuss the memorial benches if we get permission for them.

There was discussion about painted wood in the garden.  Paints can contain lead and PFAS, both of which are toxic.  Old chipping paint can get in the soil. We should move to ban painted items from the gardens.  

Lily is meeting with Megan to coordinate workdays this year.  There are three types of workdays.

Garden worker led

Experienced gardener led

Individual 

Jolene says that Will is going to do workdays this year. Will is interested in replacing a waterline this year. Lily will contact Will.

Compost

Compost from UW West Ag Station is now $70 a cubic yard.  The compost delivery charge is $2.16/mile round trip, so the $30 is an estimate based on our location in relation to the Ag station. The price when we bought it in 2017 was $35 a cubic yard.  Our garden carts hold 7 cubic feet.  The cost for a half cart load is now about $8.90.  Discussion ensued about subsidizing the cost of the compost and keeping the cost at $5 a half cart load.  We need to tell the gardeners that we are selling it at half price.  The committee agreed that selling compost at University Houses is a priority.  

If we have the compost delivered directly to both gardens on separate days, we will have enough carts to have workday volunteers help deliver the compost to the plots. For the University Houses delivery, we need to check with the Preserve about having the compost sit on the Basketball court for a day.  

The compost sale will be first come first serve.  We need to make the sale day weather dependent. Compost can be ordered the day before delivery.  The sale will probably be on a weekend in early June.  In 2018, 15 cubic yards were delivered and they sold out.  We should order 25 cubic yards, which is about 200 half cart loads.

Co-Chair Report

Jessica said we still need a Garden Worker.  She asked if anyone knew a potential garden worker candidate.  Jessica and Ninja will ask Lily to send an email to all gardeners and if there are no responses, the job will be posted.

Garden Worker Report

Megan was unable to attend.  The mowing contract has started for this season. Jolene said that mowing will probably revert to the garden workers in the future.  Maybe we'll need three garden workers if mowing is included.

Plant Sale

Warm weather plants- May 22 10am to 1pm

Barb L said there is a lack of garden forks.  We should email Megan with tool requests.

Karen reports technical difficulties posting the minutes to the website and is seeking IT help.

Motion by Barb L and seconded by Niels

Adjourned around 7:40

Submitted by Karen, subject to correction by the Garden Committee