The Manitowoc County Master Gardeners have announced the lineup for their 2026 Garden Walk.
The event, which showcases some of the most unique plant displays in the county, is scheduled for July 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., rain or shine.
There are six gardens slated to be open to the public on properties in Newton and all around Manitowoc.
Some are located on large rural properties, others are on smaller city lots.
#1 “ Labor of Love” Chris and Denise Wagner 1010 Norstad Rd, Manitowoc
Our garden began as a simple idea to grow fresh food for our family, but it has grown into something much more meaningful over time. Today, it’s a diverse and ever-evolving space that includes a wide variety of vegetables, fruits and an orchard that includes apples, peaches and pears, and an expansive display of flowers and unique decor. Each season brings new lessons and small victories, from the thousands of seeds planted to the abundance of harvest and preserving that follows. Much of what you see here starts months earlier in our self-designed and built greenhouse, where we carefully grow most of our plants from seed. This process allows us to nurture each plant from the very beginning and select varieties that thrive in our space. The mix of fruit, vegetables, fruit trees and vibrant flowers reflects both practicality and pure joy-providing fresh food while also creating a beautiful, welcoming space to gather and share with others. Our garden is truly a labor of love, rooted in patience, lots of hard work, endless hours, and the simple pleasure and gratification of watching things grow and flourish.
#2 “The Accidental Gardener” Rebecca and Jonathan Wilinski 6626 Newton Rd, Newton
I come from a long line of women who loved planting flowers and working in gardens. I used to think it looked like too much work and not much fun. I never wanted to start gardening because it just felt too overwhelming. I HATED pulling weeds so when COVID hit I decided to redo our flower beds with industrial plastic under rocks so I would never have to pull weeds. I then got a 9 foot fence on the property line and thought it looked too bare. I began thrifting and repurposing art for my fence. Pretty soon I was hooked with making each panel like a room. Every art item in my garden was either made or repurposed by me save for a few items. I gradually fell in love with decorating my garden and the plants and flowers were basically the next step. I’ve only been gardening a short while but I’ve already grown to love it! I will not ever question why people garden again as it brings me so much joy! My husband exclusively does vegetable gardening so it gets us out in the yard together. We often sit in our swing or bench after a long day and just admire our hard work.
#3 “Pollinators Paradise” Aaron and Nicole Senn/ Jane Gau garden 1511-1507 Philippen St Manitowoc
What started out as a small patch of native plantings has, over the last 6 years, evolved into a two-family collaborative adventure. It has provided endless hours of happiness, excitement, dirty garden gloves, as well as a few cases of sunburn. As our knowledge grew, so did our joy at discovering the amazing relationships between plants and animals. After recognizing that each plant serves as a lifeline (“host plant”) to specific insects, we dedicated our efforts to supporting as many different species as possible. For that reason, we have managed to find room for over 150 different species of Native Plants on this tiny 1/4-acre site. Wisconsin is home to some 150 species of butterflies, of which we have documented 34 here so far. This state is also home to the Federally Endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee, who we have also had the joy of documenting on site! In addition, our garden is a registered Monarch Waystation. This is critically important because Monarch Waystations provide Milkweed (8 varieties represented), nectar plants,and shelter for monarchs throughout their annual cycle of reproduction and migration. By creating and maintaining this safe habitat we contribute to Monarch conservation. Using almost exclusively native plantings, pollinators like bees and butterflies can rely on this garden for pollen, nectar, and a safe pesticide free environment.
#4 “The Fourth Generation Garden” David and Jena Foster 1320 Berge Ave, Manitowoc
We have only been working on these gardens for the past 12 years, but many of these plants, bulbs, and seeds have been passed down to me from both my grandmothers as well as my mother. If anyone remembers my grandmother’s gardens out in Rockwood, you may recognize irises and other perennials passed down to me through my mom’s gardens. My paternal grandmother planted hollyhocks at their home in the 1940s which have now been reseeded at my home. My brother and I split up the daylilies and other perennials from my parents’ home when their home was sold. Now my daughter gets to enjoy these blooms and beauties with us through evening garden walks and daily tending. It is so amazing to get to share these gardens and memories with her! Our gardens have also become a certified monarch way station which we love to educate others about.
#5 “History and Flowers” Kevin and Kay Sonnenburg 2004 Menasha Ave, Manitowoc
A center for travelers since 1899, this property has welcomed many guests over the years. The original proprietor, Virginia Chrapikowski, was a passionate lover of flowers. She actively participated in Wisconsin State Fairs, showcasing her blooms, and tended to the farm alongside her family. From the east side of the property, you can admire “Virginia’s Flower” — a wooden-carved flower pot stand placed between two arched, leaded glass windows.
We honor the property’s rich history and continue the legacy with a shared love for the flowers that brighten this place. The garden beds are thoughtfully arranged, filled with rich soil and thriving plants that promise fresh growth with each season. Each year, we plant over 1,000 red and white begonias, adding a vibrant touch of color. In remembrance of Bill Seidl, we’ve relocated a mixture of peonies, lilies, and other unique flowers to the garden. We invite you to stroll through history and tour our gardens, where the past blooms beautifully with every step.
#6 “Made in the Shade” Cameron and Dayna Goetz 1346 Westwood Ln , Manitowoc
Our garden is a story of reclamation. As many in this area have experienced, we lost a full canopy of mature Ash trees. It was devastating to remove over a dozen mature Ash trees from our small piece of woodland at the back of our city lot, but we were committed to turning it into a beautiful space. Unlike other gardens you will see today, this is a young garden, only about 3 years old. The remaining understory of box elder, poplar, young oaks, a few remaining buckthorn, and one mature Elm tree, create enough shade to create a serene walking path surrounded by shade loving plants. You will see a commitment to native plants – serviceberry, pagoda dogwood, red dogwood, viburnum, ostrich ferns, wild ginger, wild geranium, purple cone flowers, Jack-in-the-pulpit, columbine, and American black currant. We tried to keep as many of the existing native plants as we could, but also couldn’t resist adding drifts of shade loving non-natives such as hosta, astilbe, brunnera, hellebores, various hydrangea, and Japanese maples. With a lot of hard work, and efforts to use existing native plants, we were able to transform this battered woodland into the beginning of a serene backyard shade garden in just a few years.
You can learn more about the event and all of the gardens by visiting the Manitowoc County Master Gardener’s Facebook page.
