STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Learn how to build live and healthy soil microbiome in the first of a series of gardening classes at the Hailey Public Library.
The first of the free classes will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Hailey Library.
The class will address the quality of the soil we need to cultivate for a rich microbiome and why the soil needs a live and healthy microbiome. It will explore the connection between our gut microbiome and the soil microbiome.
Instructors will also demonstrate how to start seeds indoors in soil blocks, rather than relying on the usual seed starting pots.
- On March 18, a class titled “Early Season Garden Extenders” will focus on crops that grow best in cool spring months and are ready to eat before summer.
- On April 8 “Growing Tomatoes” will focus on warm season vegetables that can grow in the Wood River Valley despite the short growing season. The class will address choosing proper varieties, best locations, micro-climate, timing and protection devices.
The classes are being offered by the Hailey Grange, Wood River Seed Library, University of Idaho Extension, The Hunger Coalition and the Hailey Public Library.
GET FREE SEEDS
The Wood River Seed Library keeps a seed cabinet at the Hailey Public Library on the back wall on the left side. Gardeners are welcome to “borrow” the seeds free of charge to grow vegetables, herbs, grains and flowers that have been shown to do well here.
It’s hoped the borrowers will deposit part of their seed harvest in the library come fall for gardeners to check out the following year as a means of contributing to the biodiversity of the local food shed.
A Seed and Plant Exchange will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 25, at the Hailey Grange, 609 S. Third Avenue. in honor of Earth Day.