Gardening in Montana
Saturday, April 4th @ 10am
FREE CLASS
Instructor: Megan Poulette, Assoc. Professor of Botany & Environmental Science at Rocky Mountain College
Join Megan as she shows us how to start and maintain a garden in our short growing season. We will discuss containers/raised beds/in-ground gardens, direct seeding vs transplanting, plant selection, summer maintenance strategies, common insect and disease problems, and season extenders. Special focus on growing tomatoes and peppers.
Bio: Megan Poulette is an Associate Professor of Botany and Environmental Science at Rocky Mountain College. After a stint in commercial horticulture in Colorado, she earned her MS in Plant and Soil Science and a PhD in Biology at the University of Kentucky. Megan is a life-long gardener and member of the St Andrews Community Garden here in Billings. She and her students grow vegetable plants every spring for members of the Rocky community and partners in Billings.
Creating a Backyard Bird Habitat
Saturday, April 25th @ 10am
FREE CLASS
Instructor: John Haigh, Wild Birds Unlimited store owner and certified bird feeding specialist
Creating a backyard refuge for birds and wildlife is a fun and rewarding activity for the whole family. In this class, you'll learn how to support local birds and wildlife by providing the four essential elements of habitat: food, water, shelter, and safe places to raise young. Using birds as our guide, we'll explore simple ways to transform your yard into a thriving, wildlife-friendly space. You'll leave with practical resources, habitat ideas, and inspiration to support conservation—and to encourage your neighbors to create more native habitat in your community.
Noxious Weed Control
Saturday, July 18th @ 10am
FREE CLASS
Instructor: Caleb Music, Yellowstone County Weed District Licensed Education Specialist
Noxious weeds threaten rangelands, farms, wildlife habitat, and home landscapes across south-central Montana. In this practical, hands-on class, participants will learn how to identify the most common invasive plants in our region and apply effective strategies to control and remove them. We will cover key species frequently found in the area, including: Leafy Spurge, Spotted Knapweed, and Russian Olive. Participants will learn how to distinguish these weeds from similar native plants. The class will also explore proven control methods, including: Mechanical remove, cultural and prevention strategies, proper herbicide selection and timing, integrated pest management approaches, and techniques to prevent the spread and re-infestation. Pre-registration is requested.