November 2022

 Eagle Heights Garden Committee Minutes

November 9, 2022  7 PM

Remote Meeting

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

Minutes  Motion to approve the October 2022 minutes. The minutes were approved. 

Registrar Update

Lily says the 2023 application has been updated and includes mandatory orientation for new gardeners.  There will only be one workday required for 2022 and 2023 due to too few workday opportunities.

The Gardens Network Rooted would like to do a workshop in the gardens in June.

There was a discussion about where to put job postings for the Garden Worker positions.  There was a comment about how easy it is to read older documents about the running of the gardens.  

Garden Worker Report

Megan said we have the cart parts order but it is cold and hard to work in the shed. Garden tools are being put away this weekend and the tool order will be made then. We probably need forks and thin tine forks. A set of tools will be left out at University Houses and two sets at Eagle Heights.

Long Range Plan

The Long Range Plan was developed over the last year with the help of Rhonda from Facilities Planning.  The committee needs to review the draft, make additions or corrections and  approve the draft. Discussion ensued.  There is a need for more activity from the Weed Juries.  Perhaps there should be two groups a month.  This would mean the gardens would be reviewed twice a month during the growing season.  We should consider asking gardeners to remove certain weeds like thistles and Artemisia.  We would need twice the number of jurors. The 700’s wall is listed in the draft, but it has been completed.  There was a suggestion that ongoing maintenance tasks should be listed, like the maintenance of the 700’s wall.  A rough draft of tasks would be good. 

A calendar of tasks would be good.  Someone mentioned that there is an existing one someplace.  Ann sent an electronic copy of an old calendar.  An example would be having the mowers serviced every January.

It would be a good idea to have a permanent map of plots that would indicate all the possible half plots in the garden so the map always has all the information.  There are a few plots that cannot be divided.  There is also a problem with the marker posts.  We are considering using PVC cap on metal posts to mark plots.

One of the high priority items is the erosion on the north-south road at Eagle Heights.  Discussion ensued.  The concrete pieces protect our water pipes. There was concern that this road should be a shared responsibility because others drive on the road but gardeners just walk on it.  This is a discussion item for the GOC.

The access to the first weed and leaf pile at University Houses is a difficult problem.  The road floods and is very soft during rainy conditions.  We have permission to dump on the basketball court and move the pile with small mechanical equipment.  The other choice is to service University Houses during dry or frozen conditions.  

Path maintenance was discussed.  Perennial weeds are a problem.

Finishing the 900’s wall from 929 to 921 is on the list.  Megan said we probably don’t have enough good material to build a wall.

Invasive species control is also important.  The ditch along the 100’s does not drain well and there is sometimes standing water.

Evaluate the irrigation system.  What about having two lines go up the main road and service alternating rows.  That way when one line sprung a leak, water would not be as far away.  We should establish a minimum depth for the lines. Every riser needs a post. The 100’s line is about 5 years old now and gives no problems.  The 1300’s line is probably the worst, but 1100”s is also bad.  Megan says she would be capable of replacing a single line, but the UW plumbers would need to do the main lines.  The Committee thought we should ask the advice of the UW Plumbers about how to proceed.  We would have to do the digging as they do not dig. We need some plumbing volunteers.  Tom Bryan also knows about plumbing.  There should be a Sub-committee about irrigation which Megan and Niels expressed interest in.  We own all the risers and faucets already.  Establish what needs to be done, prioritize the tasks and do them. 

The issue of unmanaged birdhouses is mostly solved with the wren plates installed. We need to get rid of the broken bricks. 

The leaf pile will be discussed at the next meeting.

Motion by Niels and seconded by Megan to adjourn. Adjourned 8:14

Submitted by Karen, subject to correction by the Garden Committee