Why limit yourself to just one garden Memorial Day weekend when you can take part in the citywide planting "Blitz?"
Milwaukee Victory Gardens Initiative runs a "Memorial Day Blitz" of planting and gardening with efforts to construct and plant as many urban gardens as possible on May 22 and 23.
"We plan to start early in the morning on Saturday and move from garden to garden, showing the community great techniques but also starting some great urban gardens," organizer Gretchen Mead says.
Victory Gardens Initiative aims to cultivate as many gardens as possible, encouraging a swarm of volunteers to come out and participate. Plans include planting a raised bed garden at a private home as well as recreating a recently demolished garden at a neighborhood church.
"We want people to learn how to create a functional garden in their own yard or community by re-teaching them planting and harvesting skills," Mead says.
The Victory Garden Initiative emphasizes the use of backyards, patios and community green space to grow and harvest local produce. By infusing the community with sustainable practices and ideologies, Mead and her co-organizers hope to show the viability of Victory Gardening as a way of life for everyone.
"This is our first year doing this but we really hope it becomes an annual event. I think the time is right for environmental initiatives like this to take root," Mead says.
Volunteers can plan to meet at the first garden location and travel with the team throughout the day. Interested volunteers can find more information on registration on the organization's Web site.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
