WAUKESHA — Barbara Nickel has been gardening at the Waukesha County Community Gardens for 20 years and cherishes her time spent there.
“I am really sad to see them sold. After starting with two temporary plots, my husband and I gardened there on three permanent plots for years, growing a variety of vegetables and flowers. We hybridize daylilies, so all our seedlings are planted there. We have 39 registered flowers, and I hope to register five more this fall,” Barbara said.
She has gotten to know many gardeners and said many of them live in condos and apartments without yards. The gardens have given those people an outlet to pursue their hobby.
“Some people bike to the gardens, and it’s on the bus route, and that accessibility has attracted a huge variety of people to garden there, from young singles to families to older folks. We share our knowledge of flowers and vegetables with each other. It’s a wonderful hobby and gives us fresh produce to enjoy and share,” Nickel said.
The county intends on selling the Northview property with a request for proposal to be sent out later this year. The property includes the building where the Waukesha County Huber Facility is located and the land where the Waukesha Community Rental Gardens sit. Jerry Braatz, director, Extension Waukesha County, said they haven’t pinned down an alternative site just yet.
The issue with selling the land, according to Nickel, is that even if people have space at home to garden it will be hard to replicate the growing conditions.
“A lot of older gardeners have been there longer than me, and most have worked hard to enrich the soil in their gardens. It will be difficult to relocate and start again. As a result, quite a few of us will not be able to move all our plants out this fall. While we have donated many plants to Frame Park, we have nowhere to place the others,” she said.
Barbara pointed out that the sale of the property is not just a loss for gardeners but for the whole Waukesha community.
“With all that land, the beautiful grove of trees, the cemetery, and the community gardens, the area is a lovely place to walk. And most of the gardeners donate their extra produce to the Waukesha food pantry. As a master gardener for about 10 years, I helped with the first plot for the pantry,” Nickel said.
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She recalled how every August, they would hold a breakfast event at the garden under the guidance of UW Extension horticulturist Ann Weid.
“Years ago, she gave gardening instructions to the inmates at the Waukesha County Huber facility, and they not only learned a new hobby and new skills but also helped with the pantry vegetable garden. It seems that with all of that land, there would be space for all of this there,” Nickel said.
Barbara’s daughter, Jill Nickel, said she and her husband have utilized the gardens for five years.
“We were unable to garden in our yard due to too much shade and life business. Once my husband retired, we started growing Hungarian hot peppers so we could can them per his family recipe. Every August his family gets together to harvest the peppers and form an assembling line to can them. We also grew onions, asparagus, squash, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, herbs, beans and broccoli. Our freezer was full every fall,” Jill said.
While her father Duana died several years ago, her mother continues to garden her plots.
“I spoke with some other gardeners this weekend, and most are very upset about having to leave. If another site is found, I doubt my husband and I will take on another plot. We have amended our soil, composted, built raised beds and created a wonderful garden experience. Sometimes I bring a cooler with snacks, beverages and a book to take a break from tending to the garden,” Jill said.
She added that the conversations and friends they have made are cherished.
“It is upsetting that the county has decided to sell the land we have grown to love,” Jill said.