2024 Garden Walk
A Bloomin’ Good Thyme: Friends of the Library 2024 Garden Walk
Saturday, June 22, 9am – 4pm
The Friends of the Muskego Public Library are thrilled to announce that our 4th “A Bloomin’ Good Thyme” Garden Walk 2024 will be held Saturday, June 22nd from 9am – 4pm. Proceeds will help fund outstanding library programs for all ages. The highlights of the day will be the tour of 4 beautiful private Muskego gardens and an exclusive Garden Tea. There will be lectures by: author and owner of Northwind Perennial Farm – Roy Diblik; pond experts from Aquatica Ponds; and Paul Ruszkiewicz from Paul’s Petal Pushers who will provide gardening tips. There will also be a pre-owned art sale, a Garden Boutique, a craft fair of garden art, fabulous raffle baskets, and back by popular demand, a “Garden Gift Card Trellis”.
Our sponsorship partners include Achtenhagen Services Inc., BP Muskego on Janesville, Henningsen Property Management, Lamb’s Nursery, Making the Cut, Muskego Lakes Group of Thrivent, Paul’s Petal Pushers, Pop’s Pantry and Summit Credit Union in Muskego. Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 11th and will be $15 with children 14 and under free.
Tickets for the Garden Walk and the Afternoon Tea will be on sale from May 11th to June 22th at the Library. Tickets for the Garden Walk are $15 with children 14 and under free. Afternoon Tea Tickets are an additional $35 and space is limited. Rain date for the Afternoon tea will be Sunday June 23, from 11:30am - 1:15pm.Paul’s Petal Pushers: Can You Dig It? 9:30am - 10:15am
Learn how to get the best results when you are planning your pots with this demonstration by the owner of Paul’s Petal Pushers. Paul’s Petal Pushers main greenhouses are located in Waterford and is also located in Piggly Wiggly’s parking lot. Paul’s Petal Pushers provide all the flowers at State Fair Park and the streets of Greendale – just to name a few. Owner Paul Ruszkiewicz has been a great contributor to our Garden Walk since its inception in 2021 and we are thrilled to have his support.
Garden Craft Sale and Boutique, 10am - 3pmShop for a variety of outdoor garden art to upgrade your yard, including colorful pottery garden stakes, liquid stained glass windows and frames, mini-flower garden pots, glass/ceramic topiaries and an array of jewelry and garden decorations and more.
Roy Diblik, 10:30am - 11:45am
Roy Diblik is the co-owner of Burlington’s Northwind Perennial Farm and a leader in the New Perennial Movement. He has been instrumental in major garden projects over the decades like Lurie Garden in Chicago’s Millenium Park , the Wisconsin Executive Mansion, Milwaukee’s Mitchell Domes and the Migratory Bird Garden at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. In May of 2023 he was awarded the Garden Club of America’s Medal of Honor for his outstanding service to Horticulture. We are honored to have his presence at this year’s Garden Walk.
Aquatica Ponds, 2pm - 2:45pmAquatica Ponds is Wales, WI is a collaboration of individuals with a uniquely curated set of skills and unmatched experience in designing and building breathtaking nature-inspired water features and water gardens. They have been awarded water artisans of the year by “Pond” Trade Magazine. All the water features at Ebert’s Greenhouse in Ixonia, WI have been designed by Aquatica Ponds. Our lecturers will be Angie and Sean and their topic will be Water Feature Trends. It is a privilege to have them a part of our Garden Walk.
Friends of the Library Baked Goods and Pre-Owned Art Sale, 9am - 4pmEnjoy some treats from the Friends’ Bake Sale and shop for a new-to-you piece of art including one of a kind garden items for your home at a wonderful price!
Pop’s Pantry, 9am - 4pm
Enjoy a free apple cider donut from 9am - 4pm by redeeming the coupon you received with your Garden Walk ticket. Make time to shop for unique giftable products, traditional & gourmet foods, and of course Pop's award winning popcorn.
Afternoon Tea in the Garden, 11:30am – 1:15pm
Wear your prettiest garden hat and take a break from your stroll through this year’s featured gardens and relax at the home of one of our 2021 garden hosts. Come and enjoy a Traditional Afternoon Tea accompanied by music and poetry. *“An Afternoon Tea in the Garden” Ticket is required to attend this event. $35 tickets can be purchased at the Library. Space is limited. Rain Date will be Sunday, June 23, 11:30am - 1:15pm.
Raffle Contest
A chance to win great prizes! Tickets can be purchased at the Library the day of the event. $3 each or 6 for $15!
Gift Card Trellis
New this year! Everyone is a winner at the library! Pick a flower for $15 and receive a gift card from local businesses ranging from $15—$25. While supplies last!
The Gardens
A Garden As An Artist's Canvas, 9am - 4pm
Owners like to think of the yard as a blank canvas and the palette of color is a mixture of different flowers, plants, shrubs and trees. Their love of nature is visible in the garden’s simplicity as well as antiques and vintage items. The welcoming front porch is filled with colorful lush planters and antiques. The home is on a corner so they have creatively come up with items for privacy and coziness, like terraced rock gardens. The backyard has a beautiful stamped concrete patio and a cedar pergola. It also contains a raised bed organic vegetable garden. The owner and two creative friends will have a mini art/craft sale at the home with an array of unique, quality items. You will enjoy this experience.
Serenity in the Shade 9am - 4pmUsing the knowledge she learned from the UW-Extension Master Gardener program combined with 18 years’ experience working at Bluemel’s Garden & Landscape Center, the owner has created a variety of flower beds on her property. They vary from what she calls “Collections from Family & Friends Perennials”, throw them in with drought-tolerant flowers and a” “serenity in shade” garden that welcomes a variety of birds and other happy critters. Since moving to Muskego in 2015, she has learned how to work with and change the challenging soil conditions on the property to create what is today . . . a labor of love. Come by & enjoy the peacefulness it offers to your spirit.
Swan Lake, 9am - 4pmMuskego is a community blessed with two lakes. This beautiful home with its lush gardens is located on Little Muskego Lake. The owners have enhanced the natural beauty of the lake with brilliant colors of lush plants throughout their flower beds located from the water’s edge, along a decorative wrought iron fence, and all the way up to the uniquely designed stoned walkway lined with colorful flowerbeds, containers on the porch and a large flowerbox by a shuttered window. You will certainly have “A Bloomin’ Good Thyme” at this beautiful lake home.