Preparing the land for growing culinary herbs in Alaska has to be right up there as one of the toughest challenges a gardener will face. Aside from the freezing cold winter temperatures, there is the lack of daylight in the winter, when you get about three hours. Add to this the fact that land can freeze up to five feet and the challenge is magnified.
Alaskan winters are hard not just on soil but on plants and vegetables. In the spring, Alaskans can usually be found starting their seeds and preparing things indoors rather than outside. The soils they use are clay loam and these are often very difficult to work with. The problem is they have a very short growing season, as the last day of frost is May 31.
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.
Soil is checked in the spring and in the fall, when the land is not frozen. Testing in fall is particularly vital because by doing this they get a head start on improving the earth before winter, so it is ready in time for next spring. Neglecting the land can mean having to import soil from third parties in order to improve its texture and composition.
One way to improve the soil before the winter comes is to use horse manure. This can cause problems if there are too many chickweed seeds in the manure or if the composting side of things isn't done properly. Some choose to use organic manure but even this might cause problems due to the levels of nitrogen that exist in the compound. Whatever is used, it should be worked into the earth thoroughly.
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.
During the cold weather it becomes even more important to protect the land against the harsh climate. What gardeners often do, to help prevent the earth from getting too cold, is to lay down black plastic mulch or clear plastic mulch. A further method they use, in preparation for spring, is to seed in greenhouses, moving the seedling when the land is ready for them.
When preparing soil to grow culinary herbs in Alaska there are three main things to bear in mind. The lack of daylight in the winter, the very cold ground and the very cold water. Sometimes the water is too cold to put on plants so people often use rain barrels. Whatever the weather, planting is a challenge in Alaska.
Alaskan winters are hard not just on soil but on plants and vegetables. In the spring, Alaskans can usually be found starting their seeds and preparing things indoors rather than outside. The soils they use are clay loam and these are often very difficult to work with. The problem is they have a very short growing season, as the last day of frost is May 31.
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.
Soil is checked in the spring and in the fall, when the land is not frozen. Testing in fall is particularly vital because by doing this they get a head start on improving the earth before winter, so it is ready in time for next spring. Neglecting the land can mean having to import soil from third parties in order to improve its texture and composition.
One way to improve the soil before the winter comes is to use horse manure. This can cause problems if there are too many chickweed seeds in the manure or if the composting side of things isn't done properly. Some choose to use organic manure but even this might cause problems due to the levels of nitrogen that exist in the compound. Whatever is used, it should be worked into the earth thoroughly.
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.
During the cold weather it becomes even more important to protect the land against the harsh climate. What gardeners often do, to help prevent the earth from getting too cold, is to lay down black plastic mulch or clear plastic mulch. A further method they use, in preparation for spring, is to seed in greenhouses, moving the seedling when the land is ready for them.
When preparing soil to grow culinary herbs in Alaska there are three main things to bear in mind. The lack of daylight in the winter, the very cold ground and the very cold water. Sometimes the water is too cold to put on plants so people often use rain barrels. Whatever the weather, planting is a challenge in Alaska.
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