Gardening with Grace

Gardening with Grace is an annual volunteer gardening program led by master gardener Grace Shackman. The fifteen-year-old program began when Grace spruced up one Avalon property for the volunteer component of her master gardener’s certification. In 2010, more than fourty volunteers dedicated more than 150 hours beautifying Avalon’s properties.

The Gardening with Grace program helps Avalon in many ways. It is an integral part of Avalon’s commitment to be a good neighbor and ensure that our properties blend well into the surrounding neighborhood. The program brings volunteers together with tenants, staff and board members and everyone gets to take pride in Avalon properties.

Planting begins in the spring after the last freeze, usually after Memorial Day. Properties are completed one or two at a time, either on a weekday evening or a weekend morning. Green thumb is not needed - volunteers of all gardening abilities are welcome!

To get involved, please contact Grace Shackman at (734) 662-2187 or Jude Walton , Avalon’s Community Relations Coordinator, at (734) 663-5858.