As you speed down Bluemound Road, you may notice a large white barn and small two story home on a patch of green. You'll find this gem on the north side of the road just east of Janacek Road (about 192nd Street). If you are more familiar with Best Buy and Menards, Eble Park is just across the street.
This 40 acre patch of green is courtesy of Florence Eble. At one time, her family farm extended across Bluemound Road, and a barn was on the south side of the road. Eble donated her forty acres to Waukesha County as a permanent green space.
Florence's Garden provides a welcome respite for drivers speeding past. Passers-by are enthralled by the flower, herb and vegetable gardens at Eble Park. Some are stopped in their tracks by the season-long beauty in Florence's Garden. Produce harvested from the vegetable garden is donated to a Waukesha County food bank.
The gardens are cared for by a dedicated group of Master Gardener Volunteers. In case you haven't heard of "Master Gardeners," each person takes (and pays for) horticultural training by UW-Extension Agents. In return, they collectively dedicate thousands of hours to gardens in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties each year.
This Saturday, you may see dozens of master gardeners working at Eble. If weather permits, they will be taking perennial plants from the vegetable garden and potting them. The plants were donated by master gardeners last fall and grew in the unused garden until now. In the next few weeks, similar "digs" are scheduled at many, many homes. Thousands of perennials will be sold on May 17, 2008 at State Fair Park DNR area as part of the 13th Annual Perennial Plant Sale.
Master gardeners volunteer at the Milwaukee County Zoo, State Fair Park, Havenwoods State Park (Milwaukee County) and also at Eble Gardens, Old World Wisconsin and Ten Chimneys (Waukesha County). They also tend gardens at many other locations and care facilities throughout the metropolitan area.
