While gardening has been an enjoyable pastime for many people over the years, there has been a recent spike in interest.

Master Gardener Joe Hillberry believes that this shift is due to lifestyle changes that many people are making. “People are trying to live healthier and have become concerned with what they are eating,” he said. “Gardening helps give some control over that.”

While winter can be harsh in the Black Hills, there is still an abundance that can be produced by local gardens. To showcase the gardening potential in the area, Pennington County Master Gardeners are offering educational opportunities to the community. 

Beginning Tuesday, the six-week course Gardening in the Black Hills kicks off. During the course, certified South Dakota Master Gardeners will cover everything from gardening basics to advanced skills.

The class will highlight two topics each week, including soil prep, vegetables, starting seeds, large and small fruits, composting, rain barrels, Black Hills flowers, perennials, herbs, roses, containers/bunkers and planting a bee-friendly garden. Presentation materials will be distributed each week, and instructors will focus on hands-on training.

The gardening series began nearly 20 years ago. The classes raise funds for the Master Gardeners Endowment and provided Master Gardeners the opportunity to share their knowledge and gain required community service hours. The group strongly believes in sharing their knowledge and experience with others.

Hillberry and his wife, Sheila, are both Master Gardeners and teachers in the upcoming series. They enjoy being part of the Master Gardeners.

“It is a great group for networking about gardening, and there is a commitment to helping others learn how to garden successfully,” Sheila Hillberry said. “Teaching allows us to share the information we have learned with others.”

Joe Hillberry, who maintains his own orchard, is an expert with fruit trees. He says that gardening gives people better control over what they’re eating and teaches them about the local environment.