SANDPOINT — As the seasons change and the leaves turn to their glorious autumn colors, that means that there is only one thing to think about: spring. 

That’s why Cara Johnson at the East Bonner County Library District teamed up with Jennifer Jensen from the University of Idaho extension to present the library’s first Fall Bulb Fair to educate the public on bulb plants. From tulips to garlic, the event will cover everything that residents need to know to get ready for a beautiful spring bloom. 

"It’s the time of the year to remember to plant fall bulbs that will become the first colors of spring,” Johnson said. “This is such a fun thing to do, and I often forget to plant my fall bulbs and then when spring comes, I think ‘Oh I should have planted some.’” 

The fair features three hour-long workshops focused on the different types of bulb plants with the opening session focused on iconic bulbs like tulips and daffodils. Jensen will walk attendees through planting and taking care of the plans to ensure they make it through the North Idaho winter. 

"We’ll be digging up the dailies planted at the library, at the garlic workshop we’ll be planting the library’s garlic bed,” Johnson said. “It will be a great opportunity to learn things about bulb plants, how they grow, what they need and how everyone can help out.” 

After focusing on the plants that will survive, the following workshop will focus on the plants that won’t. A volunteer master gardener will be teaching attendees about how to care for bulbs that need a little more preparation to maintain. 

Finally, the workshops will close out with a hands-on presentation from Diane Green of Green Tree Naturals, a local organic farm, about how to plant and tend to garlic. Johnson said that all the workshops will have a hands-on element, inviting people of all ages to come out to the library to learn about bulb plants.  

"We love having people here in the library garden,” Johnson said. “It’s a place of beauty, connection, education and education, we like to create experiences for people here. Then it’s a place for people to come back and visit all the time.” 

The Fall Bulb Fair begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Alongside the workshops, there will be the chance to trade bulb seeds with fellow attendees and win select items from small giveaways.