You’re Invited To Racine’s First Annual Focus on Fresh Vegetable Garden Tour

Vegetable gardeners won’t want to miss an opportunity to tour some of Racine’s best gardens this coming Saturday in the first annual Focus on Fresh Vegetable Garden Tour.

This event, sponsored by Milaegers Garden Center and Eat Right Racine, will highlight some of the various gardens and garden styles in the Racine area. Following the garden tour, a reception is being held at Milaegers on Douglas Avenue that will include live music, educational demonstrations, food tastings and other enjoyable activities.

Tickets for the garden tour only are $15 and can be purchased from Milaegers at either the 4838 Douglas Avenue or a 8717 Durand Avenue locations, Nutritional Designs Pharmacy in Racine’s Sentry Store, 5740 Washington Ave., Wilson’s Coffee and Tea, 3306 Washington Ave., in Racine, or Sheepish, 326 Main Street, in downtown Racine. Tickets can also be purchased online at Focus on Fresh Vegetable Garden Tour through Tuesday the 9. After that date you’ll have to purchase your ticket in person at one of the participating stores.

Once the tickets are purchased, participants receive a map showing the location of each of the gardens along with a gardeners bio. Participants then plan the route most convenient for them. The gardens will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. During that time the gardeners will be present to answer any questions participants might have.

Along with eight private gardens, two of the gardens open for touring will be the Eco-justice Center on Michna Rd. and the Racine Urban Garden Network on Marquette Street. At the Eco-justice Center, six Dominican Sisters model sustainable, simple living while reverencing the land they live upon as well as animals that share it, while at the Racine Urban Garden Network, a docent will be on hand to discuss the history as well as the future vision of this urban garden.

If you’d like to participate in the reception after the tour, the tickets are $25, which includes the tour and reception. At the reception, enjoy the live music of one of our local rising musical artists, Katie Lafond and have further opportunity to talk to the gardeners. Also enjoy refreshments including multiple samplings of local wine and beer, Wisconsin cheeses, and tastings of various fabulous recipes fresh from local restaurants and gardens. The reception will be held at Milaegers on Douglas Ave. immediately following the garden tours.

Whether you’re new to vegetable gardening or born with a green thumb, this event will provide you with new ideas, techniques and recipes for making those fresh fruits and vegetables taste the very best. Go and enjoy the fun!