There are several great organizations that can help you learn about gardening.
- Alice's Garden (414) 687-0122
- Groundwork Milwaukee (414) 763-9947
- Milwaukee County UW Extension (414) 256-4664
- The Urban Ecology Center (414) 964-8505
- Victory Garden Initiative (414) 431-0888
A community garden is "any use of land or a premises for the growing of crops, plants or other vegetation by a group of individuals or by a public or non-profit organization. This use includes composting and the raising of crops, native vegetation or fruit not otherwise in violation of this code. It also includes the sale of produce and ornamental crops grown on-site. This use does not include a commercial farming enterprise or outdoor storage facilities."
Yes. You are required to apply for a no-cost permit from the City of Milwaukee Development Center. You can access the permit application HERE.
A community garden is designed for successful neighborhood involvement and support. A community garden is for a community group or multiple individuals.
Yes. You can sell products on-site that have been grown at that same location.
Yes. If there have been multiple code violations reported to the City's Department of Neighborhood Services, the City has the authority to revoke the community garden permit. Examples of code violations that could lead to revoking a community garden permit include:
- Cars parked on the vacant lot space
- After-sunset parties held on the site
- Vermin complaints from compost piles
- Not keeping the grass cut
- Not cleaning up the property by December 1
- A community garden started but not finished
Yes, but the size and placement of compost bins is restricted under current regulations. Compost bins must be no taller than 5 feet, covered and they cannot exceed 125 cubic feet. Click HERE for the City ordinance, Sec. 79-12.5. Note that you may only compost garden debris from the community garden. Composting of any materials from outside the community garden is not allowed.
No. Only the sale of un-bagged, whole fruits and vegetables and ornamental crops produced on-site is allowed. Sale of cut, packaged fruits and vegetables or ready-to-eat foods is prohibited.