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Informational Resources for Alaskan Gardeners

Planted January 1, 2000
Last tended to on October 19, 2024
Reading time: 5 minutes

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Alaska Cooperative Extension

Recommended Books:

“Alaska Gardening Guide,” by Ann D. Roberts. If you can garden well in Alaska, with its immense size and varied climates, you should be able to garden in any northern area, from Canada to Maine, from Norway to northern Oregon. Alaska Gardening Guide is a hands-on, how-to book which reveals the secrets of generations of experts in cold climate gardening. It provides Alaskans (whether cheechako or sourdough) with the special knowledge they need to succeed in their state, and other northern gardeners the techniques that will help them meet their own unique growing challenges, no matter where they live and garden. Arranged in three parts; a section on planting basics for the beginning gardener, a more in-depth section dealing with specific problems encountered in the various areas in Alaska (like cold soil, premature bolting to seed, or heavy precipitation), and a final section packed full of techniques and tips for raising particular vegetables.
“The Alaska Gardener’s Handbook,” by Lenore Hedla. Lenore Hedla, the dean of Alaska gardeners and garden writers, has written a classic yet witty tome on making things grow in the 49th state. With tips from the best of amateurs to professionals, The Alaska Gardener’s Handbook is a useful reference for newcomers and experienced Alaska gardeners alike. This is the fourth book on Alaska gardening for Lenore Hedla, a veteran of 40 years of agricultural experience and writing in the far north. Richly illustrated with more than 100 color photos.
“Growing Vegetables in Alaska: A Beginner’s Guide To Grow Vegetables,” by Richard Green. Interest in vegetable gardening has been on the upswing for a number of years, even without the presence of “The Virus.” Boredom from self isolation, fears of shortages, worries about grocery store surfaces, the prospect of prolonged unemployment and an onslaught of articles saying everyone needs to garden have only helped this interest to surge. The facts of the matter – i.e., how to grow veggies – have not changed, however. This book will be a must-read for you if you want to grow vegetables in Alaska
“Alaska Homesteader’s Handbook: Independent Living on the Last Frontier,” by Tricia Brown and Nancy Gates. A remarkable compilation of practical information for living in one of the most impractical and inhospitable landscapes in the United States. More than forty pioneer types ranging from their mid-nineties to mid-twenties describe their reasons for choosing to live their lives in Alaska and offer useful instructions and advice that made that life more livable. Whether it be how to live among bears, build an outhouse, cross a river, or make birch syrup, each story gives readers a window to a life most will never know but many still dream about. Fifty photographs and 150 line drawings illustrate the real-life experiences of Alaska settlers such as 1930s New Deal colonists, demobilized military who stayed after World War II, dream-seekers from the ’60s and ’70s, and myriad others who staked their claim in Alaska.
“Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times,” by Steve Solomon (founder of the Territorial Seed Company and self-sufficiency advocate, he is currently homesteading in Tasmania). This is a more advanced book for those who are serious about raising food. In this volume, Steve explains why intensive gardening methods are not natural and therefore require great amounts of energy and effort to maintain. A lot of information regarding soil health and cover cropping is included.
“Fresh from the Garden: An Organic Guide to Growing Vegetables, Berries, and Herbs in Cold Climates,” by John Whitman. Fresh is simply best. To get the tastiest, most nutritious produce, you have to grow your own, and in a cold climate this presents unique challenges. Fresh from the Garden will help you extend the growing season to produce the best vegetables, berries, and herbs, right in your own backyard. The guide includes more than 150 edible plants and helps you decide which varieties to choose; where and how to plant, tend, and harvest them; and what to do with your bounty. Fresh from the Garden is a clear, concise (yet comprehensive) guide, with nutrition information tables and hundreds of helpful color photographs. A gardening text book!
“Cold-Climate Gardening: How to Extend Your Growing Season by at Least 30 Days.” by Lewis Hill (founder of Vermont Daylilies and Hillcrest Nursery, as well as the Vermont Plantsmen’s Association). Written by a lifelong resident of Northern Vermont, it is intended as to help gardeners living in the icebox regions of the United States and Canada, and those who want to extend their gardening season past summer and early fall.
“Winter Gardening in the Maritime Northwest: Cool Season Crops for the Year-Round Gardener,” by Binda Colebrook. Mike Dunton remarks, “Written by another hero of mine, I have copies in my personal library dating back to my well-worn, 1977 first edition. Her writing is based on many years of application, observation and experience.” A complete guide to cool-season crops and how to raise them. Gardeners from Southeastern Alaska to southern Oregon will benefit from her clear, practical advice on selecting and preparing the ideal winter gardening site, maximizing production and minimizing pests with cloches, cold frames, mulches and companion planting, choosing the best strains and hardiest varieties for a year-round growing season. This revised and updated edition of the classic text will have you serving up fabulous alternatives to bland, expensive and tasteless imported supermarket vegetables in no time. Whether your favorite meals include hearty roots or succulent greens, Winter Gardening in the Maritime Northwest will help you maximize your food production year-round.

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Alaska Botanical Garden

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