Grow Your Own Food: Purchase A Garden Bed During the 'Victory Garden Blitz'

Over two weeks this month, a local group of gardeners will take to the backyards of Milwaukee-area homes — construct garden beds, and seed soil, providing a source of locally-grown, healthy food. 

The Victory Garden Initiative’s annual "blitz" kicks off May 11. In its fifth year, the event "provides hundreds of affordable raised garden beds for residents in Greater Milwaukee, while simultaneously bringing together hundreds of volunteers for an inspiring day of community-building," VGI's website reads. 

The group hopes to plant 500 gardens across the city, . 

For $150, volunteers will build a 4-foot by 8-foot raised garden bed with high-quality organic soil in a resident's backyard. The deadline to purchase a garden bed is Saturday. 

This year, garden beds will be constructed between May 11 and 15. Volunteers will return to fill gardens with soil. 

VGI engages people in creating a new food system by providing them with the means to build gardens in their homes, schools and communities. 

In the past, victory gardens have been a community effort in times of war. While the spirit of unity and self-sufficiency hasn’t changed, VGI has refocused to create its own war; a war on apathy and a vulnerable corporate food system, which relies on oil and other natural resources.

The group grew its legs in Shorewood about five years ago when resident Gretchen Mead launched VGI and the "blitz." The group has since held several annual events aimed at creating a local, sustainable food system. 

VGI is also looking for volunteers. If you're interested, visit the group's website, victorygardeninitiative.org/Blitz, for more details.