Garden Beds
The Garden District Community Garden has about 110 beds — raised beds and in-ground plots — at 6th & Howard (3932–3998 S. 6th St., Milwaukee). Neighbors have been growing food and flowers here since the first beds were built in 2011, and new gardeners join every spring.
Rent a Garden Bed
Beds are assigned by application each season. The rental is $25 for the season, plus a $25 refundable clean-up deposit, with your choice of the organic or conventional section.
To apply, contact Dawn Riegel, GDNA's Rental Plot Coordinator — 414-379-2450 / dawn@milwaukeegdna.com.
Two things to know:
- Show life by June 15. Beds with no sign of activity by June 15 are released to the waiting list — and there is a waiting list, so plant early.
- Water is shared. The garden has no irrigation system; gardeners water from four 250-gallon tanks filled under a city hydrant permit. Watering your bed (and lending a hand with the tanks) is part of garden life.
Grow With the Volunteer Garden Group
No bed of your own? The Volunteer Garden Group tends shared beds and keeps the whole site thriving. The group meets at the southeast corner of 6th & Howard on scheduled Monday evenings, 6–8 PM, through the season — workdays, workshops, and a lot of good company. New hands are always welcome; check the Events page for the next session or ask Dawn how to join.
The Garden Committee — the volunteers who run the garden — meets the first Tuesday of each month. It's the best way to get involved behind the scenes.
Coming Up at the Beds
Fall Garden Clean-up — Sunday, November 1, 2026, 12:00–2:00 PM. Help put the beds to sleep for winter; meet at the garden beds at 6th & Norwich. See all events →
Then & Now
The first beds went in back in 2011, built by volunteers including Jason Haas and Alderman Terry Witkowski — and neighbors are still building new raised beds today (our crew raised new beds in 2025). See the gardens then and now →
Building the first beds, 2011.
Raising a new bed, 2025.
Looking for the beds built for every body? Visit our Accessible Gardens →. Gathering at the garden? See The Gazebo →.