Spring officially shows up in Magic Valley on Saturday. Those of us with green thumbs will have extra reasons to celebrate.

Moss Greenhouses southeast of Jerome is a big deal where local gardeners are concerned, especially at this time of year.
It's been in business since 1952, and after three generations in the family, now the employees own it through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

Retail Manager Becky Marshall said, “It's special because it makes the employees have a vested interest in their future here. And they want the company to survive and do well because they basically will have a retirement."

Marshall says Moss Greenhouses have 40 year-round employees, and will have more than 60 more seasonal workers for about three months.
The company grows plants that are sold all over Magic Valley, with really big sales in Sun Valley and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Marshall says they've been distributing plants for 30 years now, and have expanded to the neighboring states of Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, and Utah.

She said, “To be able to come out here and have a facility of this nature in the area, I think a lot of us know we're spoiled, I know I love it. I work in the office all winter, and when I get to come in the greenhouse, it's like Mother Nature refreshes you. So I look forward to it every year.”

Moss Greenhouses has free guided tours by appointment during March and April. The exception begins at 10:30 am this Saturday, when everyone is invited to show up for a tour which will provide an overall view of the seven acre facility, from seeding and transplanting, like this automated machine, to the growing areas, and finally a stop in the retail store to pick up any variety of their finished products.

Marshall said, “People like to come because it's their first little burst of spring. The greenhouses smell good and they can get their hands in the dirt if they want to.”