FROM STAFF REPORTS

HELENA–The Helena Beautification Board is excited to announce its annual Basket Planting Day will be held on Saturday, April 1 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Everyone is invited to join the planting day as the beautification board will celebrate spring by planting Helena’s beloved flower baskets.

This year’s event will include planting over 50 hanging baskets, 11 pole planter baskets, six new centerpiece planters in Old Town and native perennials to finalize the recent enhancements to the Old Town strip.

The board is encouraging volunteers to bring friends and family to help make Helena Beautiful. All volunteers are asked to meet at the Caboose at 8 a.m.

“Assembling the baskets is so much fun,” Helena Beautification Board treasurer Ana Baker said. “If you come and help, you’ll learn valuable principles of planting a container, so it’s not only fun, it’s educational too.”

During this year’s event, the Beautification Board will also launch a new educational component to all of the various plants and shrubs that have been planted throughout the city.

Educational markers will be placed throughout the towns planting beds. These signs tell the name of the plant and also have a QR Code on them. Anyone with a smart phone can scan the code to access more information about the plants which are located throughout the city, and also an easy “how to” plant in your own garden guide.

“It’s all a part of our continuing effort to create a sustainable environment that will delight and inspire residents and visitors alike,” Helena Beautification Board vice chairman Brian Puckett said.

The Helena Beautification Board is an appointed board of the Helena City Council. The board believes that people and places are profoundly connected and thriving communities are rooted in individual responsibility and action. They host a variety of opportunities for the community to come together and serve each year. Events are posted on the Helena Beautiful Facebook page and announced via Twitter at @TweetHomeHelena.