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This is Gail the Pond Plant Girl.
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The Pond Plant Girl Show

Gardening in Alaska Severe Weather Gardening video coming soon!
A series of videos and articles about growing gardens in the United States.  By learning how to garden in severe climates, you can learn how to garden in your climate zone too!

← Page 1 | The Attached Solar Greenhouse | My Greenhouse | Heating the Greenhouse

► 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. 

  FLOWERS: 

February 24 (14 weeks) Portulaca, Geranium,           

March 9  (12 weeks) Hollyhock, Foxglove                                             

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 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 Pond Plants
 

• 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)

• Hardy Water Lily:  Can be grown in Alaska, but must be wintered over indoors.

• Iris Louisiana 'Colorific' - pink & white

• Iris 'Roy Davidson' - yellow 

• Blue Flag Iris

• Deep Rose Iris

• Mountain Brook Iris

• 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')

 
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.