Not So Secret Gardens

While a simple walk through the garden may be theraputic to some, garden owner Ellen Broyles said it's the creation part that radiates the healing feeling.

"I find (gardening) very theraputic, it's calming," Broyles said. "It's something that you do and you can see a very immediate result. ... You just keep coming back for more."

Broyles and her husband, Steve, have lived in their home at 751 N. Milwaukee St., Port Washington, for 20 years — and the garden project is something that's been steadily evolving.

It's a 1930s Tudor style home, so Broyles said the two set to developing an English cottage style garden to match. They collect odds and ends from curb sides and the city yard to build things such as brick paths throughout the garden, and many items — such as the pergola — were constructed at the hands of her husband.

Most of the grass has been eliminated from the yard, except the parkway and two half-circles in the front, and there's so much going on the space always calls for a double take.

"I've had friends tell me you have to go through the gardens a couple of times because you miss things," she said.

The Broyles are offering the public the chance to do just that as part of the from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $5 and available to purchase from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the , also known as the "Pebble House," 126 East Grand Ave. Money raised from the event benefits community projects and the Garden Club’s horticultural scholarship program.

Catherine Schowalter, another garden owner, said she attends the Garden Walk every year, but decided to add her place to the list this year because the money goes towards a good cause.

The Schowalters bought their house, 206 W. Walters St., in 1984 and have worked to develop their garden since. The spot stands out from other gardens because of its pond and two waterfalls.

Schowalter and Broyle are hosts of just two of the six gardens open for Saturday's walk, and the complete list is available on the club's website.

Joan Stewart, a member of the Garden Club and organizer of the event, said while many come to enjoy the walk — they often come unprepared.

"In past years, we saw people without sunscreen, burned to a crisp," she said in an e-mail. "Many asked us for pencils and paper so they could take notes and remember what flowers they saw. Others were borrowing each others' cameras."

These are just a few of the many tips that Garden Walk attendees should tune into, Stewart said. Here's her comprehensive list of ways to prepare for the day and what to expect:

• Plan several hours for the walk, including lunch. Menus from local restaurants will be available at the check-in tables at all the houses on the walk, and Garden Club members can give you directions to your favorite restaurant. 
• Stay safe in the sun. Bring a sun hat and sun screen.
• Bottled water will be available for sale at most of the gardens, but sometimes it sells out — you might want to bring your own water.
• Bring a camera so you can take photos of the gardens, flowers  or certain garden displays you might want to duplicate in your own garden.
• Bring a pen and a notebook so you can take notes.
• Talk to the gardeners! Gardening is their passion, and they love offering advice, answering questions and talking about their trees, flowers and shrubs.
• Children are welcome on the walk, but please make sure they don’t run throughout the yards and gardens unattended. Your kids will love seeing the Children’s Community Garden at 333 W. Walters St.
• Please leave your dogs at home.
• It isn’t too late to plant. Visit the plant sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at 809 N. Wisconsin Ave.
• When you’re done with the walk, consider stopping downtown and checking out the several new stores and shops that have opened in the last year. A walk along the marina is a great way to end the day.

For information about the Garden Walk, call 262-284-1948 or e-mail mail@portgardenclub.org If you know of a garden you think would make a great addition to the walk, let one of the Garden Club members know for next year. Garden Club members will be at every location on the walk; if you're interested in joining the club, don't be afraid to ask.