Demmler Community Garden is a communal green space located in the historic Third Ward neighborhood of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

The garden takes its name from the Demmler family, whose historic home still stands next to the garden plots today. Otto Demmler, a German immigrant, and his wife Lina came to Eau Claire, Wisconsin in 1885. Along with Otto’s brother, Edmund, the Demmler family founded a floral and seed business, eventually adding a series of greenhouses on their land. The location near to which the Demmler Community Garden now sits once housed these original greenhouses.

Today, the Demmler House in the historic Third Ward Neighborhood is designated as a Historic Building by the City of Eau Claire Landmark Commission, and in 1992, a city park was created on the remaining land.

The Demmler Community Garden operates each year from approximately May to October and has 16 plots of various sizes for members to plant vegetables, flowers, and herbs. The garden provides its members with the opportunity to engage in the cooperative act of gardening, while also coming together as a community to further land stewardship in urban green spaces.

Demmler Garden has a waiting list for the 2026 gardening season. To be placed on the waiting list for a future plot, please fill out the link below. TWNA is working with the Demmler volunteers to potentially enlarge the garden to a “T-shape”, and has a project to add a pollinator garden to a grassy area on the south end of the park, off Putnam Drive. If you are interested in helping, please send us a message. (use Contact Us page)

Demmler Report: April 2025

Demmler Community Garden

Presenter: John Joadwine, Director of Demmler Community Garden, speaking on behalf of himself, and Callie Didion, my Grounds Coordinator, who was unable to attend

Meeting Notes

There are 2 updates provided tonight: my update as Director of Demmler Garden and I will also be delivering Callie Didion’s update, who is the Grounds Coordinator.

Background for those of you who don’t know me:

I’m John Joadwine, Direct of Demmler Community Garden

As the Director, I work more behind the scenes on things like

• Grants
• Financials
• Applications to the garden, managing the Waiting List, etc.
• Working with our commercial partners and vendors
• Outreach opportunities within the city and surrounding areas
• And working with the City of Eau Claire, the Forestry Division, and the Parks and Rec Department on things like utilities, delivery of city-provided seasonal items, zoning considerations, etc.

Our Grounds Coordinator, Callie, works on

• The garden site itself, focusing on maintenance needs
• Repair needs
• Garden site project organization (examples: creating plans to rebuild compost bins, fencing, raised beds)
• Building projects (example: upcoming garden produce stand)
• Anticipating future garden site and grounds needs including equipment
• Coordinating Community Work Days (where members of Demmler Community Garden and the Third Ward Neighborhood garden together and work on projects)

John Joadwine’s Director Update

Garden / Plot Updates

• We have an extremely full house this year: There were more people on the Waiting List this year than any other year since I’ve been Director! All plots are filled with 14 RETURNING gardeners and 5 NEW gardeners from the Waiting List. Because community gardens require upkeep, just like home gardens, we will be working on rebuilding our beds this year (more about that later) along with other projects
• To achieve these repair goals, I’ve been working on grants this year: One grant has already been applied for with a maximum dollar value of $200. This grant has a timeline for disbursement in May 2025, should we be chosen for the grant.
• Another grant, whose cycle opens in May 2025, allows for a generous $2000 amount. Once this second grant opens, I’ll be applying and have been in contact with Sharon, TWNA Treasurer, to work on this.

Seasonal Updates

• I’ve been in contact with the City of Eau Claire Utilities Division and barring any late season snow, water in most Parks and Community Gardens will be turned on in approximately 2 weeks
• Within the next few weeks:
  • I will arrange the ordering and delivery of seasonal compost and dirt from my commercial vendor I will setup our seasonal organic disposal service with our commercial partner
  • I will begin scheduling with the City for plot tilling and wood chip delivery

Outreach Opportunities

• Last year, Demmler Community Gardens participated in the first annual Eau Claire seed swap, donating packets of sunflower seeds with information about Demmler Community Garden and the history of the historic Third Ward Neighborhood included on the seed packet
• This year, one of the people moving into the garden from our Waiting List is working with immigrant families and hopes to provide these families with an introduction to sustainable urban gardening
• Demmler Community Garden also looks to integrate more into the Third Ward and we welcome anyone in the area to stop into our garden
• Our Season Opening meeting is coming up on April 26, 2025 at 4:15pm at the Eau Claire Library, first floor Carnegie Room. Neighbors who are interested in the garden, even if they don’t have a plot, are welcome to join us.

Garden Beds: Callie Didion, Grounds Coordinator

1. Because the garden needs repairs, we assessed the beds in the worst condition. Callie was able to patch the worst of the damage (wood degrades of course) with the resources we have.
2. This spring, we will need to focus on repairing the remaining beds and we will continue to “spot repair” our fences rather than replace them outright (due to immense cost).
3. The grants, of course, would go a long way in securing our raised beds for future season
4. There are 2 beds, currently, that require full replacement. Callie has purchased some of the materials for this already (which can be reimbursed from our existing fund) and we will work to replace 2 to 4 beds per season after that with stronger corner brackets. A complete materials list has been created to help us plan these projects.

Compost Bin & Garden Stand

1. The compost bin is in dire need of repair and there will be an effort to teach the gardeners how to manage the compost bin and will be taking extra organic material to the Eau Claire Brush site. As this is a large project, WE WELCOME ANY NEIGHBORS WHO WOULD LIKE TO HELP US WITH THIS.
2. Callie is working on a moveable non-permanent PRODUCE STAND to share produce and extras from our harvest. This will be located near our fence once the season gets underway, perhaps in June.

Community Work Days

1. We welcome any neighbors to join us during our community work days, whether they’re a member of the garden or not. I will update Eileen on the dates for these community work days so they can be posted on the Third Ward website. These work days are approximately an hour.

Callie Didion, Grounds Coordinator

Final Notes

John and Callie want to thank the Third Ward neighbors, The Third Ward Neighborhood Association, and all the people of the Third Ward for letting us be a part of your neighborhood and for your help and support.

For more information about Demmler Community Garden or to be placed on the waiting list for a plot, please contact John Joadwine, director of the garden, by using the contact us page here.

 

References:

https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI41431