Caiseal Orsini, certified arborist and co-owner of Hillside Nursery, designs an assortment of vibrant hanging baskets at her Bozeman nursery.
Editor’s Note: Hillside Nursery is an advertiser in Edible Bozeman.
Spring in Montana truly tests patience. Warm spells can tempt many to get out in the garden early and begin planting, until spring snows return. The frost settles back in, and eager growers pay the price.
“Growing with Intention” is a new department in Edible Bozeman that is less about doing as much as possible during the 90-day growing season and more about moving with the rhythm of the climate. Each season, we’ll share guidance from local experts attuned to the ins and outs of growing food in the Gallatin Valley.
One of those valuable guides is Caiseal Orsini, certified arborist and co-owner of the chemical-free Hillside Nursery. Originally from Fairbanks, Alaska, Orsini is no stranger to short growing seasons and challenging conditions. Today, she works closely with community members across the Gallatin Valley to help guide them through the obstacles of gardening in Montana.
Orsini’s advice on preparing for the spring is refreshingly realistic: Spring readiness begins with planning, not planting. She stresses that growing with intention and using natural management practices are integral for shaping the season ahead, and the first place to start is the soil.
NURTURING HEALTHY SOIL
Soil operates as an entire living system, one that will do most of the work of growing the plant, as long as the soil is healthy. Made alive through a network of microbes, fungi, insects, and organic matter, soil functions to support root growth and plant resilience. When that system is strong, plants become better equipped to handle stressors.
One common issue Orsini sees is nutrient depletion in soil, often occurring in pots. Home gardeners may reuse the same potting soil year after year without replenishing its nutrients. Maintaining high-quality soil will set the plant up for success. Orsini notes that preparing soil for the spring begins earlier than many would expect. Ideally, add organic material to your soil in the fall, which will support microbial life through the winter. Even raking fallen leaves over garden beds can protect soil, maintain moisture, add nutrients, and invite pollinators.
Then, in the spring, gardeners can boost plant health with a root stimulator. At Hillside, every transplant’s roots are dipped in mycorrhiza, a beneficial fungus that establishes a symbiotic relationship with the plant, uptaking sugars while protecting the roots and maintaining soil health. “Like a Deva Spirit for the plant,” Orsini says.
THE STORY OF THE SEED
Seeds may seem small, but beyond genetic material they carry generations of valuable history spanning thousands of years. For Wes Cawood, a graduate of Montana State University’s Native American studies program and a strong community advocate for Indigenous seed stewardship, saving seeds isn’t just about preserving plants—it’s about preserving knowledge. For thousands of years, seeds were open-pollinated and passed down through generations, shaped by climate, culture, and care. Only in the last 150 years or so did seeds become truly hybridized and commodified.
Cawood explains that locally adapted seeds hold a historical relationship with their ecosystems, shaped by the same climatic conditions that characterize Montana today. He stresses that recognizing that lineage can help shift how we garden, prioritizing responsibility and care over consumption and yield.
“Even understanding just part of your seed’s story changes that relationship,” he says. Taking time to think about where our seeds come from brings us one step closer to strengthening our own relationships with the land.
Abiya Saeed, a horticulture instructor and extension specialist at MSU, says locally adapted seed will improve a gardener’s chances for success. Regionally adapted seeds are attuned to Montana’s climatic variability. Hillside Nursery, Triple Divide Seeds, and local seed libraries all serve as valuable resources for accessing regionally adapted and native seed.
When it comes to choosing seeds, Saeed stresses the importance of paying close attention to days-to-maturity—an essential consideration for shorter-season climates like Montana. In addition to nurseries like Hillside, Saeed recommends the MSU Extension for unbiased, science-based guidance tailored to specific problems growers may be facing. Even Hillside uses this extension to regularly test its soil and ensure it’s thriving.
Above all, Saeed emphasizes that gardening is for everybody. Even experienced growers run into challenges every season, but each one is an opportunity to learn more about this cherished land.
POTS ALIGN AESTHETICS AND PRACTICALITY
In gardening, pots are tools. They allow gardeners to manage soil quality, drainage, and aesthetics more precisely. Pots can be moved inside during cold snaps and positioned to protect plants during sudden weather changes, which, for a short growing season, makes all the difference.
When choosing containers, Orsini says drainage is non-negotiable, and size matters more than material. “Do not put a small plant in a big pot,” she says. This can flood roots and halt growth. Plants typically like to be slightly contained before they’re ready to expand. For gardeners working with balconies, porches, or small yards, pots offer a meaningful way to grow food and beauty in unison.
Although all of this advice can feel overwhelming, it’s important to recognize that there are valuable resources and members in our community who are happy to help. Gardening doesn’t have to be an individual sport—it can cultivate patience, mindfulness, and community.
Above all, Orsini’s core principle is simple: “If you wouldn’t put it in your mouth, then don’t put it on your plants.” Using chemicals can have lasting effects as they move through our ecosystem and into our own bodies, which is why shifting toward gentler inputs and supporting all-natural nurseries like Hillside can have lasting benefits.
Orsini encourages gardeners to slow down, observe, and ask questions. Whether that means talking with a nursery specialist or reaching out to the MSU Extension, gardening becomes richer when it’s rooted in community. This spring, perhaps gardening can be less about yield or perfection, and more about a relationship with soil, seeds, and the season itself.
SIMPLE WAYS TO SUPPORT NATIVE POLLINATORS
Early spring serves as a critical moment for pollinators, and the steps you take in preparing your garden can have a significant impact on them.
No Mow May is an initiative that encourages people to halt mowing for the month to allow early-blooming plants like dandelion and clover to grow, providing food for bees and beneficial insects emerging from winter.
For gardeners seeking a balance between practicality and aesthetics during the period of not mowing, Orsini suggests pulling unwanted plants and using them as natural mulch, enriching the soil while still supporting beneficial insects.
