by Shaila Palamand, PWL Member
This month, we’re highlighting the Onalaska Community Garden, one of the projects in the PWL chapter’s Pollinator Garden program. Located at the Heritage Mill House, the site hosts a combined pollinator garden, monarch waystation and vegetable garden.
The garden was first created over 10 years ago by an employee at a local nursery, who donated soil, plants, and other support to kickstart the endeavor. Although work on the garden was stalled during the pandemic, it picked up again in 2023, when a local librarian obtained a grant to help fund its revival and expansion. Shortly after moving to the area, PWL Members Carol and Larry Craft – both Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners – learned about the garden from current PWL President Jessica Jones and quickly joined the effort. The Crafts have increased their involvement in recent years, not only supporting the project personally, but successfully promoting community involvement as well. Alongside a team of PWL volunteers, a number of local residents regularly assist with planting, weeding, harvesting and other maintenance activities.
The Pollinator Garden grant enabled the enlargement of the garden beds, doubling the capacity to what it is today. Additionally, Larry, who completed the “Teach the Teacher” training over ten years ago to help save Monarch butterflies, has cultivated 5 different types of native Milkweed plants and has incorporated them into the garden along with other seasonal natives that supply Monarchs and other pollinators with a constant supply of flowering plants from spring until first frost. Last month, Monarchs visited the garden, and the Crafts rescued several caterpillars and provided them with enough milkweed to grow into adult caterpillars, then emerge as beautiful butterflies!
In addition to supporting pollinators, the project also includes a vegetable and herb garden featuring Red Potatoes, Tomatoes (4 varieties), Squash, Cucumbers (4 varieties), Radishes, Carrots, Bell Peppers, Green Beans, Fennel, Dill, Sage, Rosemary, Garlic, Chives, Kale, and Basil. Overflow produce is donated to a local food pantry.
Carol and Larry are not only passionate about supporting the Onalaska Community Garden; they would also love to help others start their own home gardens, both vegetable and pollinator gardens, pest insecticide free, all natural, and totally non GMO! The Crafts have provided “Save the Monarchs” classes for Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, schools, and other audiences, and have supplied attendees with as many Milkweed plants as possible so they can cultivate them on their own. They are hoping to expand and provide quarterly educational programs for the community.
Congratulations to Carol, Larry and the entire Onalaska Community Garden team for the success of this project!
