It depends where you live in Alaska and what's meant by 'this weather' Much of the Alaska coast is warmer than where we 'Far North' gardeners live. In fact, Canada's warmest (and wettest) city, Prince Rupert, is the closest to the Alaskan border.

If you are anywhere near the coast then you can compost in a bin or pile, and a crabapple and veggies should do fine...you get lots of light during the growing season.

If you are along the southern coast or islands of your state then your gardening needs are closer to that of the Pacific Coast forums.

Well I live in anchorage so if that makes a difference I really wanted to make a pile because it would be able to hold more? and the worms can get to it? I donno ive never made a compost pile. Im doing it one for a veggie garden and two a top soil for the grass because my grass is horrible :S we have dogs and have paid poor attention to pee clean up :S

Kahurin, here's a link where you can look up your zone. Just put in your zip code. Knowing what zone you're in will make a big difference in what you can grow. And welcome to the forum!

Laurie

Here is a link that might be useful: myplantzone.com

kahurin I have been in Alaska my whole life so I inderstand your questions anchorage can have a 10 degree temp difference between north and south anchorage but suffice to say your in between zone three and four.

I now grow in the mat su valley but grew up in Anchorage your compost pile will depend on how well you build it and making sure you maintain it properly A homebuilt bin 4'X4' is about the fastest way to go for a home composter and still produce a large volume of compost the smaller bins and tumblers work fast but there return is also smaller.

as winter aproaches I turn in alot of nirtogen or green material and rewet with hot water while this may be going alittle extreme my internal temps stay up above 90 degree's until about the end of december.

search the internet for the university of alaska CO-OP it will answer all your questions about compost and your veggies.

any specific questions go ahead and ask here if you like

when you do decide on what you want to plant and where to plant it plant according to your soil temp not what the seeds or trasnplant tag says

soil temp soil temp soil temp soil temp soil temp soil temp

ok guys hi again i got lost and couldnt find my post lol this forum is kinda big and messy :S i found out i live in Zone 4a in alaska though it did not have a list of what veggies can grow better here.

And am i in the right forum section... i didnt know what part to post in for area

http://www.uaf.edu/ces/programs/lrpro.html is that the type of site i should be looking at its very interesting and useful thanks for that part :D

sorry im so very new at this but it strikes my interests alot i would love to know more :D also if anyone knows of any good books :D

Kahurin, I have a book called 'Cold Climate Gardening' written by Lewis Hill. I believe I ordered it from Lee Valley (leevalley.com to shop online).

The author focuses on Northeastern states but most of the info is relevent, as far as extending and maximizing shorter growing seasons.

US Zone 4 is different than Canadian Zone 4,no? Kahurin may find it helpful to know the coresponding Canadian zone on this forum. Or am I wrong about the zone differences?
Good Luck, Kahurin!

well thats what zone it gave me when i looked it up...:S theres a book out there for alaska gardening least ive heard about it...

I need to really get out there and start checking soil temps and where i want to start digging lol....
When ever you guys start a garden and start digging what do you look for in an area. and soil type?

I don't know much about Alaska gardening but I have heard that the zones can vary in Anchorage even a few streets away from each other.

When ever you guys start a garden and start digging what do you look for in an area. and soil type?

There's two ways of doing this, you can either decide what you want to plant and find a suitable spot for the garden (i.e. full/part sun or shade, well-drained or moist soil, etc.); or you can plan an overall landscape, put the beds where you think they would look best, and select plants that will do well there. I avoid dry shade (not much interesting will grow there), really heavy soils especially in combination with cool shade, areas under pine trees, low-lying or poorly drained areas, and any place you suspect might have been contaminated with building materials, an old driveway, chemicals, bad fill, etc.

Hope that helps. If you have any questions about where to plant specific plants, just ask.

Here's a link you might find useful. There is a zone map specific to Anchorage at this site.

The AK Cooperative Extension Service does publish a listing of recommended varieties. Did you not find it on their web site? If not, you can stop by their office (near Northern Lights & Lake Otis last time I knew) and pick up a copy.

Good luck with your garden!

Sherry

Here is a link that might be useful: AK Master Gardners

Greetings kahurin and fellow ak-gardeners,
I've been gardening in Anchorage for six years and was hoping for advise about dividing some of my perennials: ligularia, hosta, trollius, lady's mantle, and artemisia.Is dividing in spring ok? or should I wait until after they bloom? These are some of my first perennials so I've been reluctant to disturb them but I'm making room for delphiniums and others that I started from seed this past March and need a little encouragement.
Much obliged.

Hi, hilda. Good to meet you.

I've always divided my ligularia in the spring. I find it much easier to manage. In fact ... I need to take care of that little chore this week!

I have no experience dividing the other plants you've listed.

Good gardening.

Sherry

Thank you Sherry.

Hilda

Hi Hilda,
When you say they are some of your first perennials, do you mean like newly planted last season?
If they are that new, then it would be better to wait another season just because they'll be bigger and better and it slows them down a bit to move and divide them, but they'll still be ok.
I divide ladies mantle and trollius in the spring before they bloom (I've been doing that this past week). I don't have the others mentioned, but I divide most herbaceous perennials then. Once the soil is warmed up pretty good and they've put on some good growth.

Oh, you are from the WARM part of the state (jk)....

I'm up in Fairbanks. Like your blog. And your budget :-)

-P

It's so good to see more AK gardeners posting on this forum!
I bought The Alaska Gardener's Handbook years ago when we lived interior, and really like it. The author is Lenore Hedla. I still see them in Lowe's. I think there is a garden club in Anchorage; there's one down here on the Kenai peninsula where we are now and it's a great group. I would encourage you to try to find one in Anchorage. Glad you found the UAF site. If you can get to some 'neighbor to neighbor' garden classes, you'll learn lots and enjoy them. Ours are through the co-operative extension service. How's your garden going so far?