When preparing soil to grow culinary herbs in Alaska, it should be taken into consideration that the area has a climate that can suffer extreme temperatures. In winter the soil can freeze up to four or five feet underground, and sometimes even more. Daylight hours can be sparse too in winter, with about three hours of sunlight being the norm.
The soil is not the only thing that can suffer during an Alaskan winter. The flowers and plants have a hard time too. Savvy Alaskans will tend to their soil well in advance of winter, to ensure that when the frost finally disperses they are able to start planting right away.
Due to the fact their growing season is very short, preparing the soil is a key part of gardening. It is usually tested every fall just prior to the first frost. This can involve a variety of techniques but usually comes down to either taking it to the University of Alaska or by using a test kit, which is often the cheaper option.
Testing of the soil is normally done twice, once in the fall and once when spring arrives. Testing in fall is a very important part of the process, as by testing you have the chance to take steps to improve the earth before the spring, letting the improvements do their work over the winter months. If this isn't done then you may find yourself having to import new garden soil. So it's far easier to just improve the composition and texture of what you already have.
Among the many techniques implemented by gardeners is the use of horse manure. Great care should be taken if this route is followed. It can contain chickweed seeds which do cause problems if the composting phase isn't properly undertaken. The use of organic manure is something to consider but this also has its problems, what with potentially high levels of nitrogen which can burn plants and seedlings. Once the manure has been used it should be worked thoroughly into the earth.
The emphasis in Alaska is usually on winter because this dictates what can be done during the other seasons. That is why tending the earth hardly ever stops. People have been known to use wood ash to improve the soil and even coffee grounds. It is said the coffee grounds prevent flies from laying eggs that produce root maggots.
Preparing the soil is important because Alaska, with its extreme weather, can experience temperatures as low as minus 65 Fahrenheit. Aside from this, the long dark winters are one of the major problems for gardeners as is the very short growing season. Cold earth is also a problem in spring but one of the ways to counter this is to use a greenhouse to start seedlings. Another is to use clear plastic mulch across the land or a black plastic mulch to stave off the cold frost.
The obvious challenges of making sure soil is fit to grow culinary herbs in Alaska has given rise to some of the most resourceful gardeners in America. Preparing early for winter and replanting when the frost is over are a few of the important things to consider if you want to make sure crops are given the best chance to thrive.
The soil is not the only thing that can suffer during an Alaskan winter. The flowers and plants have a hard time too. Savvy Alaskans will tend to their soil well in advance of winter, to ensure that when the frost finally disperses they are able to start planting right away.
Due to the fact their growing season is very short, preparing the soil is a key part of gardening. It is usually tested every fall just prior to the first frost. This can involve a variety of techniques but usually comes down to either taking it to the University of Alaska or by using a test kit, which is often the cheaper option.
Testing of the soil is normally done twice, once in the fall and once when spring arrives. Testing in fall is a very important part of the process, as by testing you have the chance to take steps to improve the earth before the spring, letting the improvements do their work over the winter months. If this isn't done then you may find yourself having to import new garden soil. So it's far easier to just improve the composition and texture of what you already have.
Among the many techniques implemented by gardeners is the use of horse manure. Great care should be taken if this route is followed. It can contain chickweed seeds which do cause problems if the composting phase isn't properly undertaken. The use of organic manure is something to consider but this also has its problems, what with potentially high levels of nitrogen which can burn plants and seedlings. Once the manure has been used it should be worked thoroughly into the earth.
The emphasis in Alaska is usually on winter because this dictates what can be done during the other seasons. That is why tending the earth hardly ever stops. People have been known to use wood ash to improve the soil and even coffee grounds. It is said the coffee grounds prevent flies from laying eggs that produce root maggots.
Preparing the soil is important because Alaska, with its extreme weather, can experience temperatures as low as minus 65 Fahrenheit. Aside from this, the long dark winters are one of the major problems for gardeners as is the very short growing season. Cold earth is also a problem in spring but one of the ways to counter this is to use a greenhouse to start seedlings. Another is to use clear plastic mulch across the land or a black plastic mulch to stave off the cold frost.
The obvious challenges of making sure soil is fit to grow culinary herbs in Alaska has given rise to some of the most resourceful gardeners in America. Preparing early for winter and replanting when the frost is over are a few of the important things to consider if you want to make sure crops are given the best chance to thrive.
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