The Storm Lake Public Library is inviting residents to get a jump on spring with its second annual Seed Swap and Giveaway.
The event takes place beginning at noon on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Families will be able to pick up free packets of vegetable and flower seeds—up to five per household—while supplies last. Organizers encourage arriving early for the best selection. Gardeners may also bring their own seeds to swap, though a trade is not required to receive the free packets.
The library will feature a display of popular gardening books to inspire both newcomers and experienced growers. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, with seed donations coming from Nine Square Feet, a nonprofit based in West Des Moines that has distributed more than 60,000 packets statewide since 2016. Local gardener Kathy Kapitan and Boyer River Farm have also contributed to the giveaway.
Library Director Elizabeth Huff says the goal is to encourage families to enjoy the outdoors and discover the relaxation that comes with gardening. She adds that the event is especially timed for those who want to start plants indoors, with the average last frost date in Storm Lake falling around April 29.
Organizers emphasize that all it takes is a container, soil, and some patience to begin a gardening journey—and the library’s seed event is designed to help residents take that first step.
