Think you can't grow good vegetables in Alaska?
Think again. The Alaskan long and cool summer months is just the right environment for growing awesome vegetable gardens, even giant cabbage! Most gardening begins indoors in the month of April when the last snow typically falls. However, some can be started as early as March. To melt the snow in the garden, river sand is best but fireplace ash can be used for most types of gardens. After seedlings appear, they
should be kept in south facing window that receives sun and will need 12 hours of light per day. A grow lamp or florescent lighting is necessary. In a room that has a cool environment, a plant heating mat is necessary to help generate plant growth. Plant peas and nasturtiums in biodegradable pots. Peas do not like to be disturbed but can be planted straight into the ground with their pot when the weather warms. A stunning nasturtium to grow is the Canary Bird Vine.
Think again. The Alaskan long and cool summer months is just the right environment for growing awesome vegetable gardens, even giant cabbage! Most gardening begins indoors in the month of April when the last snow typically falls. However, some can be started as early as March. To melt the snow in the garden, river sand is best but fireplace ash can be used for most types of gardens. After seedlings appear, they
should be kept in south facing window that receives sun and will need 12 hours of light per day. A grow lamp or florescent lighting is necessary. In a room that has a cool environment, a plant heating mat is necessary to help generate plant growth. Plant peas and nasturtiums in biodegradable pots. Peas do not like to be disturbed but can be planted straight into the ground with their pot when the weather warms. A stunning nasturtium to grow is the Canary Bird Vine.
Preparing the Seedling MixMix 1 part vermiculite to 1 part Miracle Grow Moisture Control potting mix. Vermiculite is a foam-like volcanic conditioner that will stretch your soil volume and also act to retain water. It is also a natural germicide and will help to prevent a build up of mold and mildew. Vermiculite can be purchased by the bag (3.5 cubic feet) at Lowes for $24 and goes a long way. Perlite is a good substitute for vermiculite, but it is has a more dusty texture and can float to the surface of a container during watering. If you are someone who is not someone who does well with seeds, then small plugs can be purchased from a garden nursery.
Planting OutdoorsWhen you are ready to plant outdoors, place a clear soda bottle with the bottom cut out over your seedlings. Push the bottle about 4" down into the soil. The little greenhouse will increase the humidity and temperature inside
and will also protect the ground and plant from frost. It will also protect the young plants from slugs while they are getting established. Water with warm house water or water warmed in a container from the sun.Suzanne Forsling from Juneau, Alaska had limited space to garden (photo on right). She created a garden by attaching rain gutters to her siding, drilled holes for drainage, and grew her vegetables there!
EARLY KILLERS: Prevent Mold and Mildew - Root Rot - "Damping Off"
When I brought my artichoke plants into my greenhouse last November, I did not take into account that they could not handle the increased humidity. I ended up losing about a dozen plants. With the increased damp air, I also experienced an infestation of gnats! And, because there were no predators, cut worm moths came and finished off the few healthy plants I had left.
The same can happen in the beginning stages of growing seedlings. In Alaska it is called "damping off." This happens when seedlings rot away before or soon after they emerge from the soil. Moisture is important for plant growth, but if garden plants and house plants are not allowed to dry between watering they will become subject to fungus infection. Because Alaska is a damp environment, there are problems with fungus growth - especially if plants are transplanted outside too early in the season. When infected, plants will often rot at the base of the stem, leaves can curl, wilt, and brown, and roots can turn black or turn to a mushy consistency. Poorly drained planters are one cause for the problem and can be prevented by laying down a layer of gravel at the bottom of a planter box under the soil. There are fungicides for damping off, but by the time it is discovered it is often too late. Pull the dead plants. Toss them in the compost pile and start over again.
The same can happen in the beginning stages of growing seedlings. In Alaska it is called "damping off." This happens when seedlings rot away before or soon after they emerge from the soil. Moisture is important for plant growth, but if garden plants and house plants are not allowed to dry between watering they will become subject to fungus infection. Because Alaska is a damp environment, there are problems with fungus growth - especially if plants are transplanted outside too early in the season. When infected, plants will often rot at the base of the stem, leaves can curl, wilt, and brown, and roots can turn black or turn to a mushy consistency. Poorly drained planters are one cause for the problem and can be prevented by laying down a layer of gravel at the bottom of a planter box under the soil. There are fungicides for damping off, but by the time it is discovered it is often too late. Pull the dead plants. Toss them in the compost pile and start over again.
► Heating the Greenhouse:
Heating the greenhouse is certainly a huge task when subfreezing temperature exist. The greenhouses posted on The Pond Plant Girl Show are designed as temporary structures and are not effective for cold climate zones. Because of the sever weather and heavy snow, a more permanent solution is required. A simple wood shed with double pane ceiling windows is a perfect way to get a jumpstart on the season. Heating a greenhouse with a wood stove might not be worth the expense. A waste oil heater is a more economical choice. This heater is not recommended for use in a small area greenhouse or in a plastic sheeting greenhouse. Excessive heat can spark a fire. If constructed and installed in a small area, I recommend a concrete, dirt, or brick floor. Aluminum siding should also be installed on the walls adjacent to the oil heater and possibly on the ceiling to prevent fire danger.
Read more about building your oil heater at: www.pondplantgirl.com/oil-heater.htm
ALASKA ZONES
Heating the greenhouse is certainly a huge task when subfreezing temperature exist. The greenhouses posted on The Pond Plant Girl Show are designed as temporary structures and are not effective for cold climate zones. Because of the sever weather and heavy snow, a more permanent solution is required. A simple wood shed with double pane ceiling windows is a perfect way to get a jumpstart on the season. Heating a greenhouse with a wood stove might not be worth the expense. A waste oil heater is a more economical choice. This heater is not recommended for use in a small area greenhouse or in a plastic sheeting greenhouse. Excessive heat can spark a fire. If constructed and installed in a small area, I recommend a concrete, dirt, or brick floor. Aluminum siding should also be installed on the walls adjacent to the oil heater and possibly on the ceiling to prevent fire danger.
Read more about building your oil heater at: www.pondplantgirl.com/oil-heater.htm
ALASKA ZONES
Zone 1 Fairbanks: Below -50 f
Zone 2a Prudhoe Bay: -50 to -45 f
Zone 2b Unalakleet: -45 to -40 f
Zone 3 St. Michael -40 to -35 f
FLOWERS:
February 24 (14 weeks) Portulaca, Geranium
February 24 (14 weeks) Portulaca, Geranium
March 9 (12 weeks) Hollyhock, Foxglove
March 16 (11 weeks) Lobelia, Gazania, Carnation, Shasta Daisy
March 16 (11 weeks) Lobelia, Gazania, Carnation, Shasta Daisy
March 23 (10 weeks) Pansy, Salvia
March 30 (9 weeks) Dusty Miller, Nemesia, Godetia, Bells of Ireland, Petunia, Cosmos
April 6 (8 weeks) Outdoor tomatoes, Dahlia (seed and tuber), Dianthus, Aster, Ageratum, Snapdragon, Candytuft, Chrysanthemum
April 13 (7 weeks) Alyssum, Oriental Poppy, Helichrysum, Statice, Bachelor Button, Sunflower, African Daisy, Calendula, Verbena, Nicotiana, Godetia, Layia, Matricaria, Phlox
April 20 (6 weeks) Zinnia, Salpiglossis
April 27 (5 weeks) Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Schizanthus
VEGETABLES:
March 16 (11 weeks) Celery, Leeks
March 30 (5-6 weeks) Greenhouse: tomatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Peppers, Eggplant
April 13 (7 weeks) Parsley and all herbs
April 27 (5 weeks) Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Melons, Onions
May 3 (4 weeks) cucumbers, pumpkins, winter squash, head lettuce
May 10 (3 weeks) summer squash, beets, parsnips, carrots, peas, chard, potatoes, dill, radishes, lettuce, spinach
Plant carrots 1 part potting soil with 1 part sand.
COLD CLIMATE PLANTS:
VEGETABLES:
March 16 (11 weeks) Celery, Leeks
March 30 (5-6 weeks) Greenhouse: tomatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Peppers, Eggplant
April 13 (7 weeks) Parsley and all herbs
April 27 (5 weeks) Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Melons, Onions
May 3 (4 weeks) cucumbers, pumpkins, winter squash, head lettuce
May 10 (3 weeks) summer squash, beets, parsnips, carrots, peas, chard, potatoes, dill, radishes, lettuce, spinach
Plant carrots 1 part potting soil with 1 part sand.
COLD CLIMATE PLANTS:
Buy pond plants from The Pond Plant Girl!
ZONE 1 - 3
Variegated Sweet Flag Iris (Acorus calamus 'Variegata')
Lavender Musk (Mimulus ringens)
Blue Water Forget-me-Not (Myosotis scirp.)
Pickerel Rush (Pontederia cordata)
Anacharis (Egeria densa)
Micro Mini Cattail (Typha minima 'Europa')
Graceful Cattail (Typha laxmannii)
ZONE 4
Hardy Water Lily: Can be grown in Alaska, but must be wintered over indoors.
Iris Louisiana 'Colorific' - pink & white
Iris 'Roy Davidson' - yellow
Iris Blue Flag
Iris Deep Rose
Iris Mountain Brook
Mediterranean Giant Reed (Arundo donax 'Variegata')
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)
Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus)
Perennial Wild Rice (Zizania latifolia)
Lovesick Blues (Juncus inflexus)
Giant Corkscrew Rush (Juncus effuses ‘Unicorn’)
Corkscrew Rush (Juncus effusus 'Spiralis')
Giant Horsetail Rush (Equisetum hymale 'Robustum')
ZONE 1 - 3
Variegated Sweet Flag Iris (Acorus calamus 'Variegata')
Lavender Musk (Mimulus ringens)
Blue Water Forget-me-Not (Myosotis scirp.)
Pickerel Rush (Pontederia cordata)
Anacharis (Egeria densa)
Micro Mini Cattail (Typha minima 'Europa')
Graceful Cattail (Typha laxmannii)
ZONE 4
Hardy Water Lily: Can be grown in Alaska, but must be wintered over indoors.
Iris Louisiana 'Colorific' - pink & white
Iris 'Roy Davidson' - yellow
Iris Blue Flag
Iris Deep Rose
Iris Mountain Brook
Mediterranean Giant Reed (Arundo donax 'Variegata')
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)
Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus)
Perennial Wild Rice (Zizania latifolia)
Lovesick Blues (Juncus inflexus)
Giant Corkscrew Rush (Juncus effuses ‘Unicorn’)
Corkscrew Rush (Juncus effusus 'Spiralis')
Giant Horsetail Rush (Equisetum hymale 'Robustum')
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