(Giant Cabbage, Anchorage Daily News)

 
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. 

Patience and perseverance are key when gardening in Alaska. A popular cold-weather plant to grow is the stunning nasturtium, the Canary Bird Vine.  Even if you live in a cold climate, your new garden could offer up bounties to restaurants and farmers' markets too!

Preparing the Seedling Mix
Mix 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. 

The University of Fairbanks Alaska Cooperative Extension Service has information about different types of greenhouse construction and growing.  Also see The Attached Solar Greenhouse, by Richard D. Seifert of Anchorage. 

Planting Outdoors
When 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.    

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References:

http://www.alaskamastergardeners.org

http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/ethanol_motherearth/me4.html#mwoh

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/072508/nei_309624417.shtml

http://www.ptialaska.net/~pbabcock/patch/

http://www.scotts.com/smg/learn/infoHowToArticle.jsp?detailId=15300016

"Starting Dates for Vegetable and Flower Seeds to Grow Transplants"--University of Alaska Cooperative Extension.