2023, June: Heavy, continual rainfall has made the mowing and weeding a daily chore (between storms)! MAF volunteers are helping update the front berm with weedblock and weed-eating around the hollyhocks, irises, grapes, hops and a row of shrubs that were planted in Spring 2022. SIGNUPS FOR GARDEN PLOTS are for a requested donation of $20 to pay for water. Contact melstonechamber@gmail.com.
2022, March-May 2022: Shrubs were purchased from Blake Nursery, Big Timber and planted in the front berm after many of the irises were removed and donated. Two tons of amended, composed soil purchased from Rocky Mountain Compost in Billings, plus a pickup load of wood chips purchased from Gebhardt’s Sawmill in Roundup were layers on top of the berm, around the plants.
2019, May-June: Two bareroot native plum trees were planted to replace the dead one from a few years ago. The apple trees were pruned and are blossoming now (late May-early June). All the trees are being watered from the rain barrels on the side of the shed. Melstone middle school students helped plant flowers in two tubs on Main Street at either end of the berm, and in the tub by the wagon on the triangle lot.
2018 Update: The Melstone High School shop class is helping with some fence stabilization and gazebo repairs.
2016-2017 Update: With funding from the Musselshell Valley Community Foundation, and help from some wonderful volunteers, we built a 7.5 foot tall deer fence around the garden perimeter and a rustic log pole fence facing the street. We also added life-size Western figure cutouts and solar accent lights.
Read the article about the Melstone Community Garden from the Musselshell Valley Community Foundation newsletter, 2017 (project completed in 2016).
The Melstone Community Garden is supported by gifts and volunteer resources. Our first growing season was Spring/Summer 2009, made possible by funding from Musselshell Valley Community Foundation, the Northwest Area Foundation’s Horizons Program, and many hours of donated labor. The original garden layout was designed by Brandi Lang. In 2010, Ziggy’s in Billings donated lumber for a new gazebo, built by carpenter Brian Nachtigal. Other contributions for the garden have come from Home Depot, Gainan’s, Clyde & Cindy Brewer (chicken house/shed), Kelly & Gena Allen (soil), memorials, and private donations. The Melstone FFA, Melstone High School shop class, Learning Links, and Americorps Vista have participated in planting, maintenance, and building.
Raised bed plots are available to any individual (under 18 must be sponsored by an adult), family, or community group. The only charge is a nominal water fee of $20 per bed each season. All garden plot holders must agree to plant as close to Memorial Day as possible and to maintain their plot so that it is watered, with weeds under control. No chemical pesticides are allowed.
Compost is collected in several containers onsite, and rainwater is harvested in barrels placed adjacent to garden structures and the neighboring Sportsman building.
To reserve a plot, get involved, make a donation, or make a suggestion, please email Adele Field or see Anne Coles at the Lazy JC.