POCATELLO — Spring is almost here, and the Marshall Public Library Seed Library is ready to help the community start growing.

The Seed Library offers a variety of open-pollinated, heirloom and hybrid seeds — including vegetables, herbs, and flowers — that anyone in the area can “check out” to plant at home. The program is made possible thanks to seed donations from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, Burpee Seeds, Eden Brothers, Giving Ground Seeds, Snake River Seed Cooperative, Territorial Seed Company, Victory Seed Company and local community members. The library also welcomes additional seed donations.

Seeds will be available for check out beginning March 26. Since the Seed Library is still growing, participants are limited to three seed packets per person.

Instead of returning seeds, gardeners are encouraged to “pay it forward” by sharing their harvest with others or saving seeds to donate back to the library for future seasons. The library also accepts produce donations in the fall for the Idaho Foodbank through the Garden to Give program.

Marshall Public Library will also host a series of beginning gardening presentations by Marissa Ames. The first program, seed starting 101, will be held March 28 at 2 p.m. Ames is a longtime gardener and former editorial director for Mother Earth News and Grit magazines who now lives in Pocatello and works to support food security initiatives.

For more information about the Seed Library, please contact Kristy Lyon, librarian, at 208-232-1263 ext. 106.