Milwaukee, WI

December Gardening in Milwaukee: It’s Time to Retreat Inward

Published

3 months ago

November 28, 2025

December Gardening in Milwaukee: It’s Time to Retreat Inward

December 21, the shortest day of the year. I’m no physicist, but if Einstein had studied gardeners, he would have discovered his theory of relativity more quickly because of how time stretches or contracts while we are digging in the dirt. The relativity of gardening time was reinforced for me by a recent article, “How Pottering About in the Garden Creates a Time Warp”, by Harriet Gross. My theory is a bit more granular: I have experienced time at slower, faster and at a stand-still pace when gardening.

Spring is a frenetic dash between cloud bursts, planting between normal work/life responsibilities. In June I hold my breath and surveil my green queendom but with grubby clothes and a trowel, rather than an ermine cape and scepter. July is a sprint to have fun, manage the trellising and harvesting while hosting deck dates. August time fluctuates nervously while I consider fall planting or do nothing except eat greens to sloooowwww time down before fall’s frenzy. September and October are pinched days for plotting and squeezing in as many seeds, plants and bulbs as possible while trying to outrun our shifty weather.

Join us for an afternoon of inspiration and fellowship as we honor six incredible women leading Milwaukee forward in the spirit of our longtime publisher, Betty Quadracci.

Cute pots and succulents. Photo by Kevin J. Miyazaki

You might be surprised to know that, until recently, I was afraid of indoor plants. I drowned my first one when I was 13. When folks would give me an occasional orchid I would ask: What do you have against that plant? That all changed a few years ago when my pal Shawn gave me a cute succulent inside an even cuter pot. Succulents prefer my watering neglect, so we’re a match. I have added to my indoor pot empire by visiting Urban Sense on Vliet Street. I do currently have an orchid gifted by my other pal Katie in the living room—let’s see if I can bring it back to life once it loses all its delicate white tiger-teeth flowers.

My biggest takeaway is that, like gardening outside, nature knows how to take care of herself.

Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger. Photo by Kevin J. Miyazaki

My sweet pots remind me that this is the time of year to consider garden gifts for family, friends or you. I’ll mention again the green clippers I got at GoodLand Home and Goods on Downer Avenue. To shake your mopey gardener awake, look for some great reading suggestions at the Wild Ones’ online bookshop, where you’ll find my current favorites Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger and How Can I Help by Doug Tallamy.

Joe Gardener mentions 17 books (plus a few extras) in his podcast episode #440. Of note for me is Sarah F. Jayne’s Nature’s Action Guide, that expands the various steps we can all take to make our landscapes more human and creature-friendly, and Plant Sapiens: Unmasking Plant Intelligence by Paco Calvo with Natalie Lawrence. If your local bookstore doesn’t have these in stock, have them order it for you. Just as we feed our local soil, let’s feed our local businesses too.

How about supporting the groups that are fighting the good fight for the earth and its inhabitants? Consider buying memberships or donating in your gardening friend’s name to a range of green-supporting groups like the Wild Ones, the Aldo Leopold Foundation in Baraboo, the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, and the National Wildlife Federation, which sponsors a Wildlife Habitat Certification program. This year I’ve donated to the National Park Federation, and the American Bird Conservancy, to protect our spaces and species at risk.

Clear vases waiting for 2026’s flowers beneath painting by Doug Holst from Marilu Knode’s Wauwatosa home. Photo by Kevin J. Miyazaki

When I was 20, I signed up for my college’s exchange program in France. Since I only had about 36 days of class (by my estimation), I learned how to read train timetables and find cheap youth hostels to launch myself into the world of art history (the gardening part would come much later).

On winter solstice that year, I found myself in front of an enormous astronomical clock inside the Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg. A lightbulb went on: rather than fuss about winter, I would celebrate the shortest day of the year instead. Those few extra seconds of sunlight beginning December 22 are invisible since the winter sky is clotted with cotton batting clouds, but I take comfort knowing that they are there.

Under the watchful eye of Persephone, let’s all celebrate the solstice, December 21^st, 2025. Host an outdoor party with hot mulled wine, roast marshmallows over a cracklin’ good fire and burn some diseased plants that can’t go into the compost. Then head back inside and count green beans while you dream about the year to come.

It’s been a good garden year despite the weather whiplash we experienced, and I look forward to sharing more green joy with you in 2026!

A Few Gardening Resources

More Places to Give

Education

Joe Gardener is a prolific sharer of information, try his website, podcasts and videos for any and all things garden.
Read the Old Farmer’s Almanac—now the Almanac because, ahem, we’re not that old, right? —for gardening tips, a free guide on how to start a garden, plus weather predictions, moon phases, sunrise and sunset times, a veritable buffet of the things that interest gardeners.
University of Wisconsin Horticulture, Division of Extension has online garden programs to help you make it through winter
Want to help your neighbors get cost effective native seeds for their own gardens? Host a Winter Sowing Party! Check out the Homegrown National Park’s story on Liz Myers-Chamberlin, who helped sow the seeds of native perennials with her neighbors, and download the free party instructions for your own winter wonderland of seeds.

Native Nurseries In Wisconsin

Sustainable Garden Information

National Wildlife Federation: How to create and certify gardens for wildlife
Wild Ones Milwaukee: Download the Wild Ones’ landscape design specific to Milwaukee by landscape architect Danielle Bell of Native Roots, Milwaukee. This template describes all the ecosystems that can exist in one yard, and gives you a plant list to start your native plant journey
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District, in partnership with Fresh Coast Guardians, provides resources and references for anyone wanting to help protect our waterways, create a livelier landscape and entertain the bees, bugs and other creatures that co-evolved in our region. Download their natural landscaping plan here
See the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan, from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, for information on conservation and protection of species and their habitats. I’ve gotten the names of a few rare native species from this list!

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Milwaukee, WI

Illegal dumping plagues closed Milwaukee Pick ‘n Save

Published

6 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Illegal dumping plagues closed Milwaukee Pick ‘n Save

Illegal dumping plagues closed Pick ‘n Save

Neighbors say since a Milwaukee Pick ‘n Save at 35th and North closed in 2025, the parking lot has been filling up, but not with cars or people. It has been attracting illegal dumpers.

MILWAUKEE – Neighbors say since the Milwaukee Pick ‘n Save at 35th and North closed in 2025, the parking lot has been filling up, but not with cars or people. It has been attracting illegal dumpers.

Trash piling up

What we know:

There are old mattresses and furniture in the parking lot. There are piles of garbage at the entrance of the old grocery store. Behind the building, there are tires, more mattresses and more trash.

Illegal dumping at former grocery store near 35th and North, Milwaukee

The Pick ‘n Save stores closed in July 2025. Since then, the building has sat empty.

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FOX6 News was contacted by a man who manages senior and family housing in the area. He said in the last couple of months, he has noticed the stile turn into a place for illegal dumping. The man said he was so fed up, he called the office of Milwaukee Alderman Russell Stamper about the problem. The man said the whole site is an eyesore, and something needs to change.

Illegal dumping at former grocery store near 35th and North, Milwaukee

Change sought

What they’re saying:

“As the snow melts, it’s full of garbage. People are dumping furniture on it, tires,” said Jeffrey Sessions, who manages nearby property. “If you drive around it, it’s garbage everywhere. It’s unsightly for the neighborhood, and it’s probably going to create rats and mice problems.”

FOX6 News reached out to the Department of Neighborhood Services. Officials said the dumping has not been reported. They said the department’s commercial team will now be made aware of the issue.

Illegal dumping at former grocery store near 35th and North, Milwaukee

“It makes the whole neighborhood look like garbage, like nobody’s taking care of anything around here,” Sessions said. “It’s a detriment, it’s unsightly, and it needs to be addressed.”

Illegal dumpers could face fines

Dig deeper:

If the dumpers are caught on camera, they could face fines.

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The owner of the property may also be ordered to clean it up.

Illegal dumping at former grocery store near 35th and North, Milwaukee

The Source: Information in this post was provided by a person who owns property near the former grocery store, as well as Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services.

Crime and Public SafetyMilwaukeeNews

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Milwaukee, WI

Things to do in the Milwaukee area this weekend, including Sports Show

Published

18 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Things to do in the Milwaukee area this weekend, including Sports Show

Travel to Ireland, learn how to catch a fish, visit wildlife at the zoo, and see costumed characters this weekend in Milwaukee.

Anime Milwaukee

The 2026 “Magical Academy” themed animation convention comes to the Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., and Hilton Milwaukee City Center March 6-8. The weekend features Japanese industry guests and cultural experts, artists and official merchandise, gaming, music, dance, manga, cosplay, anime and Asian fashion. New this year is the Nocturna Anime Bar with a lounge and specialty drinks, including nonalcoholic beverages. Exhibit hall hours are 1 to 8 p.m. March 6, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 7 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 8. Full weekend access is $100; single day access is $50-$75. animemilwaukee.org

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show

The 85th year of the Sports Show is at State Fair Park’s Wisconsin Exposition Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, from noon to 7 p.m. March 6, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 7 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 8. Along with outdoor exhibitors, see what’s swimming in the trout pond, watch the lumberjack show and the fastest retriever race, or catch the archery and air rifle tournaments. General admission tickets at the door are $15; youth tickets (ages 6-14) are $6. In honor of Women’s Day on March 8, all women receive $10 admission at the door. Check out the full schedule at jssportsshow.com.

Gardens & Gears: Steampunk Faire

Celebrate the industrial age at the Gardens & Gears art fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7 at the Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. The immersive garden event features creators, costumes and live entertainment, with gears, goggles and handcrafted mechanical curiosities on display in the gardens. Domes admission required. mitchellparkdomes.com

Milwaukee County Zoo Family Free Day

Everyone receives free admission at the Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Road, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 7. See the red pandas in their outdoor habitat, lions, penguins and more. Parking and regular attraction fees still apply. milwaukeezoo.org

Irish Family Day

Travel to the Irish countryside during “Passport to Ireland” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 8 at the CelticMKE Center, 1532 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa. With Irish dance, arts, crafts and storytelling, each county will be featured with an activity that celebrates Irish culture, history and traditions. Buy one, get one free Irish Fest tickets will be available to purchase, with lunch, beverages and snacks served in the Celtic Café. Admission is $10 at the door. celticmke.com

What’s new in Milwaukee-area theaters this weekend

Marcus Theatres: See a marathon of the 2026 Best Picture nominees at select theater locations. Day one of the marathon is March 7 and features “Sentimental Value,” “F1: The Movie,” “The Secret Agent,” “Bugonia,” and “Sinners.” The marathon resumes March 14 with a new set of films. Visit marcustheatres.com.

Milwaukee Film: Women’s History Month programming features the action films of Michelle Yeoh. See her Oscar-winning performance in “Everything Everywhere All At Once” screening at 6 p.m. March 6 at the Oriental Theatre.

“Hoppers”: A robotic animal with a human mind helps real animals thwart a plot to destroy their habitat in this Disney and Pixar feature film. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Avalon Theater; Marcus Theatres’ BistroPlex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas; Rosebud Cinema.

“The Bride!”: A lonely Frankenstein (Christian Bale) travels to 1930s Chicago to ask a scientist (Annette Bening) to create a companion. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ BistroPlex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.

“Protector”: A veteran war hero (Milla Jovovich) must use the violent skills she thought she left behind to save her daughter. See it at Marcus Theatres’ BistroPlex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.

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Milwaukee, WI

MPD officer accused of using Flock cameras to monitor dating partner resigns

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

MPD officer accused of using Flock cameras to monitor dating partner resigns

Josue Ayala has resigned from the Milwaukee Police Department days after he was charged with a crime over his alleged misuse of license plate-reading Flock technology.

Ayala, 33, pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted misconduct in public office during his initial court appearance on March 4.

The charge is a misdemeanor that carries a potential maximum penalty of nine months in jail and $10,000 fine.

Milwaukee is one in a growing number of communities nationally that have started using Flock cameras to help locate stolen vehicles, identify vehicles used in violent crimes, and track vehicles associated with missing persons. The technology is controversial and been criticized by civil rights and privacy advocates.

Conducting searches for personal reasons is a violation of department policies.

Prosecutors say Ayala used the Flock camera system while on duty more than 120 times to look up the license plate of someone he was dating. They believe Flock technology also was used on a second license plate, one belonging to that person’s ex, 55 times, according to a criminal complaint, filed Feb. 24 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

Ayala joined the Milwaukee Police Department in 2017, and his total gross pay was about $120,000 in 2024, according to the most recent city salary data available.

Milwaukee police confirmed in a March 4 email to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Ayala has resigned from the department.

Ayala and his attorney Michael J. Steinle, of Milwaukee, would not speak to reporters as they left the courtroom.

Prosecutors say the department became aware of the allegations against Ayala after a driver saw that they were the subject of searches through the website, www.haveibeenflocked.com, which collects and publishes “audit logs” of searches of the Flock system by police agencies.

The driver saw that Ayala had searched the plate numerous times, which prompted the driver to file a complaint with the Milwaukee Police Department.

Detectives then audited Ayala’s searches in the Flock system from March 26, 2025, through May 26, 2025.

Ayala is at least the second Wisconsin officer to face criminal charges for misuse of the Flock system. A Menasha police officer was charged in January for tracking an ex-girlfriend’s car.

Milwaukee police began using Flock cameras in 2022. MPD has a $182,900 contract with Flock for the use of the technology. That contract is active through January 2027.

Court Commissioner Dewey B. Martin released Ayala on a $2,500 signature bond March 4.

Signature bonds, sometimes referred to as a personal recognizance bond, allow a defendant to leave custody without paying cash as long as they sign a promise to appear for their upcoming court dates.

Martin also ordered Ayala not to contact the two victims in the case.

Ayala also must report to the Milwaukee County Jail to be booked on March 9. If he doesn’t show up, a bench warrant will be issued for his arrest.

Ayala is scheduled to appear for a pre-trial conference on April 17.

David Clarey of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this story.

Chris Ramirez covers courts for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at caramirez@usatodayco.com.

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