Beginning Gardeners Can Go From Seeds To Salad

For beginning gardeners, or those, like me with two "black thumbs," the Missoula County Extension Office has a class to ease you into gardening without having to plow up your yard.

Sandy Perrin is with the Missoula County Plant Clinic, and offers a special indoor class to help Missoulians get started growing their own food.

“We’re basically helping folks who don’t have an established garden spot to get started, it’s been a long winter and it’s great to have some fresh vegetables that you’re grown yourself,” Perrin said. “So, what’s easier than starting with building your own salad bowl? We have folks who can help you determine what kind of container and soils and different types of vegetables that will grow in containers. We’re going to start this class off by growing different kids of lettuce grains, so we’ll not only make a fresh salad, but we’ll also make some fresh salad dressing, so it’s a great way to get spring started.”

Perrin said the County Extension Office is there to assist residents in many ways.

“I help folks establish gardens with soil testing, looking at your soils and giving recommendations for fertilizers, as well as show types of vegetables that grow well in this area.”

The class will be held on Saturday, April 29 from 10:00 a.m. till noon at the County Extension office at 2825 Santa Fe Court. The cost is $15, and participants are encouraged to call ahead to reserve their space at 258-4206 or click here to register online.