By Cassi Garrison
Contributing Writer
On Saturday, July 18, the Gardeners Club of Green Bay will host its fourth annual Garden Walk, giving visitors the chance to get outside, meet other members of the gardening community and see inspiration for their own gardens.
The Garden Walk features seven privately owned gardens throughout De Pere, Allouez and the east side of Green Bay, featuring smaller city lots as well as larger plots, showing that curating a beautiful garden is possible regardless of property size.
Deb Schumacher, Vice President of the Gardeners Club of Green Bay, said that the event will give guests a chance to relax and enjoy nature, providing a break from the stresses and busyness of everyday life.
“Everybody needs something to unwind, decompress, get your mind off politics and just enjoy the serenity and feel comfortable and safe,” said Schumacher.
Schumacher added that she hopes the walk allows aspiring gardeners to broaden their horizons and experience the many different forms a garden can take.
“I hope [visitors] just get a little bit of inspiration,” Schumacher said. “That’s why we have all seven gardens that are very different from each other — we want everybody to realize that gardening can be anything.”
One homeowner who is showcasing his garden in the Garden Walk, Dan Theno, said the walk also serves as a helpful tool for amateur gardeners to get tips and connect with the community.
“I think the best thing is getting to talk to other gardeners and getting educated on different things you can do as a gardener,” Theno said. “It’s an opportunity to learn about gardening and bringing your property back to nature.”
Another couple participating in the Garden Walk, Tom and Julie Flis, shared that their advice to beginner gardeners is to research well and learn the layout of their yard.
“Start slow, a little bit at a time,” Tom Flis said. “Have an understanding of what a shade plant is and what a sun plant is. Figure out where the south side of your house is, because that’s where your sun plants are going to be.”
Julie Flis added that the inspiration the Garden Walk provides is beneficial to the community, as it leads to more homeowners curating their own gardens.
“We want our community to be beautiful, right? When visitors go on the Garden Walk, they’ll get ideas for their own gardens. Then they’ll build a beautiful area that we can all enjoy,” she said.
Guests will be able to explore all seven gardens at their own pace between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., with the event also featuring a door prize, a wall to take photos for social media and a homemade garden art sale.
Tickets are $15 if purchased in advance and are available at the Gardeners Club booth at the Military Avenue Farmers Market on July 16; McAllister Landscape Supplies and The Plant People Inc. through July 16; Doug’s Take 5 Restaurant through July 17; and Larry’s Bellevue Gardens by appointment.
Tickets will also be available the day of the event for $20 at any of the gardens and include coupons for local businesses.
“We donate half of our Garden Walk proceeds to the nonprofits in the area that have either beautification or cultural products,” said Schumacher. “It’s part of our work to give back and encourage gardening. We want Brown County to be very garden-oriented.”
To learn more about the Gardeners Club and the upcoming walk, visit gardenclubgreenbay.weebly.com
Keywords
Gardeners Club of Green Bay,
fourth annual Garden Walk,
Deb Schumacher,
Vice President of the Gardeners Club of Green Bay,
local event
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