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.
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.
The growing season in the region is very short which means they need to prepare the land throughout the whole of winter so it is ready for the growing season in spring. They often do this well before the first frost of winter touches the land. Among the techniques they utilize is to test the soil. They do this by either going to the local university or buying a test kit. As the kit is cheaper most people go with that.
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.
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.
The growing season in the region is very short which means they need to prepare the land throughout the whole of winter so it is ready for the growing season in spring. They often do this well before the first frost of winter touches the land. Among the techniques they utilize is to test the soil. They do this by either going to the local university or buying a test kit. As the kit is cheaper most people go with that.
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.
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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