The Garden ConnectionA newsletter for the gardeners at the Waukesha County Rental Gardens
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Water at the Gardens
As you know, we pay for every drop of water at the Gardens. Please remember:
- Children are NOT to play with the water. Water is for gardening purposes only.
- Do not leave the water running when not in use.
- Please disconnect your garden hose from the connection unless you are actively watering. If you stop to weed, please disconnect your hose so that the connection site is available to other gardeners and then reconnect your hose when ready to resume watering.
- Do not tug on your hose while connected to the water.
If there are any water leaks, contact us ASAP. Lisa’s number is 262-548-7775. Leave a voicemail message anytime. Lisa’s number is also on the bulletin board at the garden.
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Protect Your Gardening Supplies
We want to remind everyone that the gardens are unprotected. We do not know who may visit the Gardens. We suggest you keep your valuable gardening supplies either in the trunk of your car or in an area of your garden that is not visible to those passing by your plot.
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Plant Waste Piles
There are five established plant waste piles located at the garden. Please place plant waste in those piles rather than starting new piles. The approximate pile locations are between the Port-A-John and plot E1, near plot D1, across the road from B24P, across the road from A10P, and across the road from A1. Some piles are still small. Look for these piles before you dump your weeds at the garden.
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Thank You for Helping!
Everyone plays an important role in the Rental Garden Program, and we appreciate your assistance in helping to make the Rental Gardens a peaceful and productive space. A big thank you to those who continue to help manage the weeds and grass around your plots as this is an ongoing challenge. Also, thank you for being neighborly and helping each other out. If you have a concern regarding the gardens, please let us know. Email Lisa at lboyer@waukeshacounty.gov and/or Nate at npwinkler@wisc.edu.
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There's Still Time to Plant Vegetables!
Did you get a late start on your garden? Wondering if it is too late to plant? Do you have space for more vegetables? With an average frost date of October 15 (give or take) for Southeastern Wisconsin, there’s still time to plant vegetables on August 1st or prior if the seed packet has a “days to harvest “ date of 60 days or less. This information can be found on the back of most seed packets. For example, if you plant seeds of beets, bush beans, summer squash, cucumber, or peas by August 1, you should enjoy a great early fall harvest of vegetables. As a rule, September 1 is the last date for planting seeds of leaf lettuce, spinach, and onion sets. See Extension’s “Planting Schedule” at https://waukesha.extension.wisc.edu/files/2025/07/Vegetable-Garden-Planting-Schedule.pdf.
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Bulletin Board Garden Entrance
Please watch the bulletin board at the entrance to the garden for new messages or updates. It is the easiest way for us to get a timely message to the gardeners! If there is something that you feel we need to include in it, please let us know!
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Rules Reminders
Rule #10—Gardeners are responsible for controlling the weeds on their plot and preventing them spreading to other gardens from the Garden opening date to the Garden closing date.
Rule #14—Gardeners are responsible for their children.... Children should be supervised.
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Picnic Area
The picnic tables near the entrance to the Garden are for you to use. Feel free to pack a lunch and picnic at the Garden, but remember there is no grilling allowed at the Garden.
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Gardening/Horticulture Assistance is Available
Do you have a gardening question? Contact the Waukesha County Extension Horticulture Helpline by calling 262-548-7779 or emailing your questions to uwex1@waukeshacountty.gov. If you send an email, feel free to include photos!
Currently, calls are answered on Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m. until noon.This is a FREE service.
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Common Problems
Powdery Mildew on Vegetables - Have you recently noticed a white powdery substance on your some of your plants? Humid conditions make conditions favorable this to occur. For some plants it is merely a cosmetic problem while for other plants it can cause leaf loss. Learn more https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/powdery-mildew-vegetables/.
Cucumber Beetles - Perhaps you’ve seen this pest in your garden, the striped and spotted cucumber beetle is a common pest of vine crops (e.g., cucumber, squash, pumpkin, watermelon) that can cause severe damage to roots, leaves, flowers and fruits, as well as interfere with pollination, leading to reduced fruit set. Learn more at https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/cucumber-beetles/.
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Striped cucumber beetle (top leaf), spotted cucumber beetle (bottom leaf)
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Heads up!
Lisa will be on vacation from August 18-22. If there are any water leaks or other garden issues during that time, please contact Nate directly at 262-548-7788 or by email at npwinkler@wisc.edu.
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Questions/Contact Information
Questions? Concerns? Email Email Lisa at lboyer@waukeshacounty.gov and/or Nate at npwinkler@wisc.edu. Our office hours are 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday—Friday. You can call Lisa at 262-548-7775. Please be aware that our phone system does not show missed calls, so unless you leave a message we will not know you called.
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If you need this material in another format please contact the program coordinator.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.
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