Rose Test site

16 Easy Steps to Gardening in Alaska

Step 1: PLAN A GARDEN that will fill your family need and not be too large to maintain conveniently.

Step 2: CHOOSE A GARDEN SITE with a sunny, southerly exposure if possible. Avoid areas that are shaded by tall buildings and trees a large part of the day. Cool weather crops, which include the cabbage family and most root crops, can be grown on the less favorable north and northwest sites.

Step 3: A WINDBREAK 4 to 6 feet tall will greatly improve the productivity of a garden that is exposed to a prevailing wind. Be sure to consider any shading influence on the site.

Step 4: TEST THE SOIL by taking a representative sample of soil from the top 6 inches of the garden (your local Extension office has information on soil testing). The best time to take and submit a soil sample is in the fall before freeze up.

Step 5: SELECT VEGETABLES that grow and produce well in Alaska. When purchasing seed and transplants, buy varieties that will grow successfully in your area. For more information, see Extension publications Recommended Variety List for Interior Alaska, HGA-00030, Recommended Variety List for Southcentral Alaska, HGA-00031, and Recommended Variety List for Southeastern Alaska, HGA-00231.

Step 6: CULTIVATE THE SOIL by turning or rototilling it to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Remove large rocks and thoroughly break up all soil clods. If organic matter is added, mix it into the top 6 inches of soil.

Step 7: BROADCAST GROUND LIMESTONE over the garden at the rate recommended by the soil test to bring the pH into a range between 6 and 7. Limestone will not injure seeds or garden plants on contact. A low pH makes the nutrient phosphorus, needed for good root growth, nearly unavailable.

Step 8: FERTILIZE as recommended by the soil test or place a band of 8-32-16 or 10-20-10 fertilizer 2 to 3 inches away from and parallel to the row and one inch below the seed at a rate of one pound of fertilizer per 30 feet of row. Another method is to broadcast the fertilizer before planting at a rate of 5 to 6 pounds per 100 square feet. With the broadcast application, mix the fertilizer thoroughly into the top 2 inches of soil because both nitrogen and potassium will injure seed and plant roots on contact. Applying half the amount at planting and half at midseason will increase fertilizer efficiency and reduce the potential for leaching.

Step 9: PREPARE THE SEEDBED by raking the surface smooth to provide the fine textured soil needed to make good seed-to-soil contact and good germination.

Step 10: RAISE THE SOIL TEMPERATURE by planting through a clear plastic mulch. Clear plastic mulch hastens soil warm-up by allowing the sun’s rays to penetrate the soil and preventing the heat from being dissipated by the wind. In much of Alaska, a clear plastic mulch is required all season for warm-soil crops such as corn, tomatoes and squash. A transparent row cover will further enhance growth efficiency by increasing air temperature during the early part of the season. Caution: Most seedlings will sunburn if not released from beneath the plastic mulch as soon as they emerge from the soil.

Step 11: STAKE THE ROW AND PLANT, and seed at a depth no deeper than two times the seed diameter as soon as the soil conditions are appropriate. Radish, turnip, carrot, leaf lettuce and pea seed can be planted before the danger of frost is past. Cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and broccoli are usually more successful when planted as transplants.

Step 12: THIN SEEDLINGS shortly after they are up to provide adequate growing room for the strongest plants.

Step 13: CONTROL WEEDS by removing them when they are small so the removal does not injure the roots of the vegetable crop. Short, frequent trips to weed the garden are more enjoyable than long tedious sessions.

Step 14: WATER the garden thoroughly at the time of planting. In much of Alaska rainfall is sparse and the garden will require regular watering. Crops grown through clear plastic will need less water because the plastic mulch conserves moisture by reducing evaporation. For plants growing through plastic, add the water through the openings from which the plants are growing. Add the water carefully to avoid soil being washed away from the roots. Drip irrigation tubing may be placed on the soil surface before the plastic mulch is laid if desired.

Step 15: CONTROL INSECTS by keeping a close watch over the garden and applying the right controls at the right times. In Alaska, all members of the cabbage family are attacked by root maggots. Slugs may also be a problem in coastal areas. Contact your local Cooperative Extension Service for recommended control.

Step 16: HARVEST the garden vegetables regularly. Crops like peas and beans will keep producing when they are picked regularly.

Home gardens are important to the economy and lifestyle of Alaskans. Growing vegetables and flowers is a hobby enjoyed by both old-timers and newcomers in the Far North. New and old alike are delighted by the prolific and colorful blossoms and the rapid plant growth during Alaska’s long summer days.

Many families raise vegetables to reduce their cost of living and relieve the monotony of shipped-in food. Home freezers make a family garden a yearlong source of food. Understanding how to encourage plant growth changes gardening from a chore to a pleasant experience that the whole family can do.

CLIMATE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Southeast Alaska is rainy and cool, and for successful gardening good drainage is essential. Rows planted on ridges and mounds help drain and warm garden soils. Tile drains and ditches are also helpful.

The summer temperatures of the coastal areas of Bristol Bay, the Kenai Peninsula and the Anchorage area are moderated by winds off the water. Here the soil temperatures are low and rainfall may not be adequate. Clear plastic mulch will conserve moisture and help mature many garden crops by raising the soil temperature. In these areas, choose a garden site that receives full sun.

Much of Interior Alaska, including the Tanana and Matanuska Valleys, is dry in the spring and early summer. Soils are warm, but moisture must be conserved. Here again, a clear plastic mulch is an effective means of conserving moisture and raising the soil temperature.

On garden sites at high altitudes and in many areas north of the Yukon, growing through plastic film may be necessary to mature a garden crop.

PLAN A GARDEN

When building a new home, the first step is to plan carefully and follow that plan. Successful growing needs the same kind of planning. When plans are put off until the last minute or neglected altogether, the garden is unorganized, with too much or too little of most crops in all the wrong locations. Good planning, selecting proper vegetable varieties, adequate fertilizer and lime applications, careful planting and good pest control all contribute to a successful garden.

1. How large should the garden be and how many people is it intended to feed? A well kept 20' x 50' garden will supply enough vegetables for the average family of four.
2. If less space is available, which vegetables will be left out of the plan?
3. Plan a garden using the vegetables the family likes best, trying new crops and varieties. Plant enough to supply the family all year. Some satisfaction comes from growing a little extra for the neighbors. A good garden will easily return the cost of the fertilizer, seed and pest control. The pleasure of working in the garden and eating high-quality vegetables is an additional dividend.
4. Make an actual scale drawing of the garden and then stick to the plan.
5. Run rows north and south when possible so both sides of the rows receive maximum sunlight. Plant tall crops such as trellised peas on the north side of the garden where they will not shade shorter vegetables. Plant low crops on the outside edges of the garden, preferably toward the south.
6. Plant the cole crops — cabbage, broccoli and other hardy vegetables — in the lowest part of the garden, where an early frost is most likely to occur.
7. Plant beans and other warm-weather crops on the highest, best-drained part of the garden.
8. Allow ample space between rows and plants of broadleaved vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, turnips, rutabagas and chard. (See the chart on page 19.)
9. Plan conservatively for each planting of rapidly maturing vegetables like radishes and lettuce. A short row planted every two weeks from June to August will provide fresh radishes and lettuce all season.

Remember: The biggest downfall of a first-time gardener is planting a garden too large to adequately or easily maintain. CHOOSING A GARDEN SITE Few people have a large field from which to choose a garden site. If there is plenty of land available, divide the garden plot into two parts and alternate the garden from one side to the other each year. This rotation will help control soilborne pests such as root maggots. What is the general nature of the soil? Is it sandy, loamy, dry or wet? Crops needing a rich loam will grow poorly on a dry sandy site.

All back yards may not be ideal, but most offer possibilities if managed properly. A well-drained sandy loam with added organic matter is best and involves the least work. Heavy soils are generally wet, cold and hard to work. Light, sandy soils will dry out quickly.

Those who must garden with either of these extremes may partially offset the adverse conditions. For example, heavy, wet soils are often improved through better drainage. An easy method is to work the soil into raised beds or ridges.

An ideal garden site is an open, gently sloping, southern exposure. Although level areas are usually good, they are seldom as free from frosts as sloping land. Often only a few feet of additional elevation will add a number of days to the growing season. If the garden is in a “frost pocket,” plant only frost-resistant vegetables.

Open areas are usually best because they allow sunlight to reach the growing plants. Tall trees or buildings cast long shadows. Trees too close to a garden will also rob moisture and nutrients. The garden should be near the house where it is convenient and easily reached.

USE OF A WINDBREAK

In areas of Alaska where a breeze is common, a windbreak will greatly improve the productivity of a garden. The soil temperature is raised because of reduced soil evaporation and air temperature is raised because the windbreak traps heat that the wind would normally carry away. A three-sided windbreak 4 to 6 feet high made of heavy clear polyethylene over a wooden frame will allow the sun to penetrate all parts of the garden, eliminating shaded areas. The prevailing winds should strike the windbreak while the side with the lowest elevation is left open to allow the night’s heavy cold air to drain away. A living windbreak is effective but will reduce garden production around the edges as the roots will use moisture and nutrients that would otherwise be available to the garden crop.

TEST THE SOIL

Subsamples are obtained by taking a representative slice from the top 6 inches of soil from eight to ten places in the future garden. Mix the subsamples together thoroughly and place approximately ½ pint of the soil in a container to air dry. Directions for submitting a sample for testing are available at your local Extension office. Follow the recommendations developed from the analysis of the samples for a productive garden. Test every other year to maintain maximum fertility.

SELECTING VEGETABLE VARIETIES

Because of the long summer days and cold soils, many popular vegetable varieties do not perform well in Alaska. To ensure success, choose vegetable varieties that have been tested in and recommended for Alaska.

Ask your local merchant for adapted varieties. If seeds are ordered from a seed house, remember to order in January or February since the spring season is extremely busy at all seed houses. An early order will assure the arrival of the seeds by planting time.

PREPARING THE SOIL FOR A GARDEN

Clear off all coarse surface debris and test for soil moisture before starting to cultivate the garden. The test is made by squeezing a handful of soil into a ball. If the ball sticks tightly together the soil is too wet. Wait a few days. If the soil ball crumbles easily when pressed with your thumb, it is safe to spade without causing damage to the soil structure. Many Alaska soils are low in organic matter and do not have good soil structure. Many sites in Anchorage and the Matanuska Valley are dry and can be worked as soon as the frost is gone.

Small gardens can be spaded and then leveled with a rake. A plot smaller than 10' × 20' seldom justifies “labor saving” machines as it is usually easier to spade a small area than to start a cold gasoline engine.

Spade to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Several small shovelfuls are better than one large one. Each shovelful must be completely turned over and broken up. Since raking only smooths the surface, all breaking must be done with the spade.

Rototillers have revolving blades that pulverize soil and are popular with home gardeners. Decomposition of organic matter is very slow in cold soils, and the rototiller helps break up coarse material. Very little additional smoothing is needed on properly rototilled soils. An extremely loose surface layer will dry out rapidly. This is good in heavy wet sites but may be bad on dry, sandy sites. Most soils must be raked smooth to lightly pack the soil after rototilling. Large gardens can be plowed and harrowed or disked. Large rototillers are used by some farmers and may be available for custom work.

In areas protected from wind and water erosion, the garden site may be tilled in the fall. This is a particular advantage when soils are heavy and dry slowly in the spring. When tilling a garden in the fall, leave the soil surface rough to avoid water erosion and rake it smooth in the spring.

LIMING A GARDEN SOIL

The pH, an expression of soil acidity, varies greatly in Alaska. In some areas, soils are very acid. Phosphorus, a major plant nutrient, is very pH sensitive and is, for the most part, unavailable to garden crops when the pH is low. Lime should never be added without a soil test to determine the pH. Most garden vegetables require a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 for the best production. Potatoes do well at a pH of 5.0 to 5.4 and the low pH will help keep potato scab in check.

Ground limestone is graded according to particle size, and the percentage of each size particle is printed on the bag label. The smaller the particle size, the faster the limestone will react in the soil and in turn raise the pH. For the fastest results, purchase limestone that has a large percentage of particles that have passed through fine mesh screen (100 mesh with 100 openings per square inch is a common fine screen). If a magnesium deficiency has been observed in your garden, dolomite limestone should be used when liming to correct the deficiency.

Wood ashes are a good supplement to an application of ground limestone to help raise the pH of acid soils. The analysis of wood ashes will vary depending on the type of wood being burnt. Generally, wood ashes contain about 45 percent calcium carbonate, a form of lime. Additionally, wood ashes will contain 5 to 10 percent phosphorus. Wood ashes should be collected and stored in a dry area. If stored ashes are exposed to the rain, they will quickly lose a portion of their nutrient value due to leaching.

FERTILIZING THE GARDEN

A garden harvest will be in proportion to the fertility of the soil, providing other factors are favorable. AIaska’s soils, like most other soils, need fertilizers for good yields.

The oldest and most common fertilizer is manure, and if it is available, it can be used. Horse manure, however, should be avoided because of the presence of weed seeds. A minimum application of a half pound per square foot is recommended for Alaska soils. A newly cleared sandy soil will need four times this amount. Well-rotted manures should be used. Manures often contain viable weed seeds. For two years prior to the planting of potatoes an application of manure is not recommended since manure may encourage potato scab.

When manure is not available, compost is a suitable substitute. Compost is decomposed vegetable matter. The UAF Cooperative Extension Service has several excellent publications on composting.

There are a number of commercially bagged fertilizers made from either organic or inorganic materials. All commercially bagged fertilizers contain known amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Each package bears a label specifying its contents in percent, for example, 10-20-10. This number tells the amount of each element — nitrogen (N), phosphate (P) and potassium (potash) (K), always in this order — contained in the fertilizer bag. For example, each 100 pounds of 10-20-10 fertilizer contains 10 pounds of nitrogen (N), 20 pounds of phosphorus (P) and 10 pounds of potassium (K).

After the garden has been tilled, fertilize as recommended by the soil test or broadcast a complete fertilizer (examples: 8-32-16, 10-20-10) at a rate of 5 to 6 pounds per 100 square feet, working it into the top 2 inches of garden soil. Both nitrogen and potassium will injure seed and the roots of plants on contact, so thoroughly mix the fertilizer into the seedbed. For equal results using approximately one-half the fertilizer, place a band of complete fertilizer 2 to 3 inches away from and parallel to the row and 1 inch below the seed at a rate of 2 pounds per 30 feet of row. If the garden has been fertilized for several years at this rate, one-half the recommended application should be adequate. Watch the root crops; if they are thinned properly and grow luxuriant tops but not bottoms, the fertilizer application is probably too heavy.

Most commercial fertilizers are applied dry as they come from the bag, so the plant food is not immediately available. With a water-soluble fertilizer the plant food is immediately available. This is recommended for use in greenhouses and for transplants.

Fertilizers that contain a high percentage of plant food are better buys because less filler is being shipped. Plant foods containing a total of more than 40 percent nutrient are usually the best buy.

MICRONUTRIENTS

There may be a boron deficiency in beets grown in soils at locations in Southcentral and Interior Alaska. Carrots, turnips, rutabagas, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts may also respond to boron on certain soils.

If you want to try boron, test on a small area first. If a favorable plant response occurs, then go ahead and use it on larger areas. For boron, apply borax at the rate of not more than 9 pounds per acre or 1½ teaspoons per 100 square feet once every three years. (Never apply boron on beans, cucumbers, peas, squash or tomatoes.)

Whiptail, a molybdenum deficiency that causes the leaves of cauliflower and broccoli to become curled and very deformed, has been observed in the Matanuska Valley and in the Fairbanks area. This deficiency is more likely to occur in certain acid soils under heavy fertilization. If these symptoms have been seen, apply molybdemun at a rate of 4 ounces to 2.5 pounds per acre (.009 to .09 ounces per 100 square feet) depending on recommendations from your Extension agent or experiment station personnel. To ensure uniform distribution of micronutrients, mix with other fertilizers before spreading. EXTREME CARE must be used when applying micronutrients to guarantee against over application. Even small amounts may be toxic.

STARTER SOLUTIONS

Alaska’s short, cool growing season makes it important that transplants get a good start that can be aided by using a fertilizer starter solution. Starter solutions may be purchased at a local garden center and are highly concentrated water soluble fertilizers with an analysis such as 10-52-17. Fertilizers high in phosphorus are needed for root development, and plant roots are always injured during the transplanting process. These fertilizers should be mixed according to directions on the label. Pour ½ cup of starter solution in each hole before the transplant is set. Setting the plant first and then watering sometimes causes undesirable soil cracks.

Another effective starter solution is made by placing cow manure in a large container and adding water. Let this stand for a week or more, stirring occasionally. Use a pint to a quart of this “manure tea” for each plant.

PREPARE THE SEEDBED

The final step before sowing the seed is to rake the soil surface smooth. A fine-textured, smooth soil surface will insure good seed-soil contact and good germination.

RAISING SOIL TEMPERATURES

In Alaska, any practice that will raise the soil temperature will improve the chances of a successful crop.

Plant the rows in your garden in a north-south direction. This eliminates the shading and resulting cooler soil on the north side of an east-west row.

Planting on a mound helps increase the soil temperature when the sides slope at right angles to the sun’s rays during the warmest part of the day.

The sides of the mound must be 10 to 12 inches high to effectively raise the soil temperature. The mound should be at least 12 inches across at the top, which is wide enough to plant two rows of many crops. If the ridge is too narrow, the mound will dry out quickly. Rapid changes from wet to dry may place undue stress on the plants. The wider mounds will warm more slowly, but a constant warmer temperature with an adequate level of soil moisture will produce healthier plants and mature a crop sooner.

In Southeast Alaska where rainfall is high, the mounds provide both adequate drainage and a warmer soil, which are needed to produce a successful garden crop there.

Another effective method used to raise soil temperatures is the use of clear polyethylene plastic mulch. The advantages of a clear plastic mulch are higher soil temperatures, faster and better germination, and reduced evaporation. Plastic also provides an extended growing season because spring frosts are not as critical when the plants are under polyethylene. The early start accelerates growth and early maturation.

Green beans and other broad-leaved plants must be released from under the plastic as soon as the seed leaves break the soil surface, or the leaves will sunburn. Clear plastic mulch fosters faster and more complete germination, and for sweet corn protects the young seedlings from frost. Soil under the plastic loses very little water through evaporation, and the soil heat is not dissipated by the wind. On sunny days soil temperatures have been found to differ by 30 degrees between clear plastic mulch areas and unmulched plots.

When applying clear polyethylene mulch, prepare the soil, fertilize and plant the seed as you normally would, then spread a 3- or 4-foot-wide sheet of 1.5 to 2 mil plastic centering it on the row.

Fold back the edge of the plastic 6 inches and dig a trench. Then place the soil over the plastic now in the trench. Be sure to keep the plastic taut and don’t forget to fasten the ends down the same way or the weeds will push the plastic up as they grow. When the crop is up, slit the plastic mulch and gently pull the leaves through.

The problem of weed control does exist because the clear plastic does not eliminate weed growth. The weeds under the plastic do not seem to produce viable seed to reinfest the soil and do not seem to use sufficient plant food and moisture to affect the crop. Excessive weed growth under the plastic will shade the soil surface and reduce warming.

Herbicides are available but are not generally recommended for small home gardens.

Organic and black plastic mulches control weeds but are not recommended in Alaska for warm season crops because they also depress the soil temperature by shading the soil from the sun’s rays.

STAKING AND PLANTING THE GARDEN

When the raking has been completed, lay out the garden as on the initial plan, measuring off and marking both ends of each row with stakes. A strong string stretched between stakes will serve as a guide to keep rows straight and neat. Small gardens are easily planted by hand.

Shallow furrows can be made with the end of a hoe or rake handle and deeper furrows made with the corner of a hoe.

The seed should be planted at a depth equal to two times the seed diameter. This means that small seeds will have very little soil covering them. Large seeds such as beans and peas may be planted about ¾ of an inch deep. Lettuce and celery seeds require light for germination.

Seeds should be spaced apart at least four times their diameter. A common error is to plant too many seeds. A healthy lettuce plant, for example, eventually needs at least 12 inches of space. Why plant 100 seeds where only one will grow well?

Press the soil to firm it so the seed is in good contact with the moist soil.

When the band method of fertilizing is used, make a second furrow 2 to 3 inches away from and parallel to the first one and 1 inch deeper. This will keep the seed from coming in direct contact with the fertilizer, and as the young tap roots grow, they will not grow down through the concentrated band of fertilizer.

USING TREATED SEED

When a seed sprouts, the young shoot is often attacked by fungi and other microorganisms. These soil organisms are ready to attack as the tiny sprout emerges from its protective seed coat. In wet soils, many seedlings are killed by these microorganisms.

Some seed companies make a regular practice of treating seeds before they are packaged. These seeds are well worth buying and cost no more than untreated seeds. If treated seed is unavailable, a gardener can treat his own by purchasing a “seed protectant” at a garden center. Apply the protectant according to the directions on the label of the packet.

THINNING SEEDLINGS

Thinning is a practice necessary to reduce the plant population to allow maximum growth. Root crops — carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, rutabagas — grow well in Alaska but must be thinned, otherwise they will grow luxuriant tops and no bottoms. Crowded plants are also more susceptible to bolting. Thinning should be a gradual process over a number of weeks, beginning shortly after the first seedlings appear. The young seedlings should be thinned so the leaves do not overlap. As the plants continue to grow, the leaf thinnings of lettuce make good salads and the beets make good greens. By the last thinning the plants of root crops should be at least 4 inches apart.

WEEDS AND CULTIVATION

Among the worst enemies of any garden are weeds. These are plants not wanted in the garden. They compete for soil moisture, plant nutrients and sunlight.

Weeds are also detrimental because they often host disease organisms and insect pests. Most weeds are more aggressive than garden crops because through the years they have become acclimated to the areas in which they are found. Garden crops are usually grown out of their native habitat. Dormant weed seed found in garden soils will outnumber the garden seed planted by hundreds of times.

It is far easier to prevent weed growth than eliminate it after it has become established. A number of precautions may be taken to prevent initial weed growth.

1. Prevent the weed growth in and near the garden from going to seed. Mowing these areas before the weeds have gone to seed will prevent reseeding. This practice is particularly important around the perimeter of the garden.
2. Avoid using manures that have not been composted, because untreated manure contains viable weed seed. In Alaska, chickweed seed is particularly prevalent in horse manure.
3. Check the pots of plants imported from outside of Alaska for weeds. This is one way new species of weeds are introduced into an area. 
4. Plant your garden immediately following a cultivation; this gives your garden seed a chance to germinate before the weeds are already up. Many garden seeds will germinate slower than weed seed.

Most weed control in a home garden is done by hand weeding and cultivating. Chemical weed controls (herbicides) are available but are designed for use in large areas where sophisticated equipment can be calibrated to make precise uniform applications. Most home gardens are not laid out for an effective use of such herbicides. If you decide to use herbicides in your home garden, carefully check application rates and read the label carefully before making the application.

Remember: Herbicides are plant killers, and a mistake in application may also kill desirable garden or native plants.

The best time to hand weed is when the soil is moist and weeds are easily removed with their entire root system. When all the roots are not destroyed, some plants have the ability to send up new shoots. If the weeds are removed when they are small, the roots of the garden seedlings will not be disturbed.

Deep cultivation, through the use of a cultivator and hoeing, destroys the weeds but also the roots of the garden plants. This in turn reduces the yield and the ability of plants to withstand drought. When cultivating seedlings, be careful not to cover the young plants, as the soil cover may kill them. Deep cultivation is not necessary for weed removal because weeds should be removed when they are small. Additionally, deep cultivation brings deeply buried weed seed to the soil surface where it will germinate.

Correct cultivation not only controls weeds, it also prevents the soil from crusting and allows air movement through the soil that is needed for healthy root growth. A loose, crumbly soil is better able to soak up the rainfall that helps prevent soil erosion.

Remember that short and frequent trips to the garden make weeding and cultivation less laborious and gardening more enjoyable.

Watering is especially important during dry, spring months when lack of water delays germination.

Many factors determine when and how much water should supplement natural rainfall. Light, sandy soils  lose water quickly and need frequent irrigation. Heavy soils and soils high in organic matter hold water for a long time and therefore need less irrigation. The gardener has to decide about his own soil.

The second consideration is the weather. Cooler weath- er means less water loss through evaporation and tran- spiration, reducing the demand for irrigation. Hot, dry, clear or windy weather increases the need for irrigation. It is preferable to water early in the morning when the temperature is cool and the sun is not bright. Water- ing late in the day will leave the foliage wet during the night, encouraging fungus diseases. Even though well water and river water may be cold, it does not greatly influence plant growth when applied by a sprinkler. The fine droplets of water leaving a sprinkler head warm quickly enough to reach the wet bulb temperature a few degrees cooler than the air temperature.

Sprinkler irrigation is superior to furrow irrigation un- less your house does not have a pressure water system. With furrow irrigation, the field must be level to allow for an even water distribution.

Soak the soil whenever the root zone is dry. A few heavy waterings are better than frequent light waterings, which encourage shallow roots. To know when to water, test the soil by squeezing a small handful. If it does not hold its shape when released, water is needed. When the soil holds its shape but crumbles easily, there is still moisture available for plant growth. The test should be made daily from then on.

If the soil ball sticks firmly together, there is ample mois- ture for several days. When plants show signs of wilting, water at once.

CONTROLLING INSECTS IN THE GARDEN

Alaska is relatively free of insects that attack vegetable crops. To avoid problems that are not common to Alaska, carefully check new plants that have been grown out of state. These plants may introduce new problems to your garden. Alaska has only two common vegetable garden insect pests, the cutworm and the root maggot. Both insects are destructive to garden crops as larvae living in the soil. Slugs may also be a problem in the coastal areas of Alaska.

CUTWORMS are the larvae of small moths. Many species are found in Alaska. Color and markings are variable. Cutworms often chew off newly set garden plants, particularly cole crops, at the ground level and eat holes in the leaves of other plants. Most damage is done from late May to mid-June.

ROOT MAGGOTS, onion maggots, seed corn maggots and turnip maggots are the larvae of small flies and are common in Alaska. The last is most widespread and usually does the most damage. They attack turnips, radishes, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and rutabagas from late May throughout the summer.

The UAF Cooperative Extension Service has a variety of publications on controlling vegetable garden weeds and insects.

HARVESTING AND STORING

Vegetables should be harvested in their prime. Do not wait until they are overmature. Harvest only the best for canning or storing. Crops are never improved by storing. Handle vegetables gently. Clean completely and put them into a cool place at once. Do not harvest more than can be prepared at one time.

Home freezers have simplified the storage of many vegetables. They make garden-fresh crops available all year around. Canning is still a good way to preserve many vegetables.

The UAF Cooperative Extension Services has numerous publications on food preservation, including freezing, canning and drying.

GROWING TRANSPLANTS

A warm, sunny window, some well-prepared soil and a container are the principal materials needed to start early vegetable plants for the family garden.

Soil for starting transplants should be taken inside before fall freeze-up and stored for spring use. One part garden loam, one part coarse sand and one part peat, well mixed together, make an excellent mixture. A good potting soil should be well-drained, which will help prevent soilborne diseases.

Before sowing the seed, the soil should be pasteurized to kill harmful soil organisms and weed seed. Pasteurization will control the common soilborne disease known as “damp-off” if the treated soil is placed in a clean container and not recontaminated.

To pasteurize soil, place 6 to 8 inches of well moistened, but not wet, soil in a large covered kettle. Insert a meat thermometer into the center of the soil. Preheat the oven to 300°F and heat until the soil reaches a temperature of 180°F. At that temperature, continue heating for an additional 30 minutes.

Do not allow the soil temperature to go above 180°F since the high temperatures will kill beneficial soil organisms and cause a breakdown of nutrients into substances toxic to plants.

A microwave oven may be used if it is equipped with a temperature probe. Fill a 2-quart or larger casserole with well moistened soil, inserting the probe into the center. Set the oven at 180°F. When the oven automatically shuts off, leave the covered casserole in the closed oven for 30 minutes.

Note: Do not attempt to pasteurize smaller quantities of soil. Microwave ovens without a temperature probe cannot be used to pasteurize soil because the temperature of the soil cannot be regulated. 

Commercially prepared mixes ready for planting that have been sterilized and placed in a sealed bag are available.

FLATS — A convenient-size flat is approximately 1½ inches wide, 21 inches long, and 2½ inches deep. The exact size is not important, but it should not be too large since damp soil is heavy and large flats are difficult to handle. Shallow cans or pans are good if holes are punched in the bottom for drainage. The flats should be new or made of a material that is easily sterilized to prevent the spread of disease. Household bleach is a good disinfectant to use for sterilizing plant containers. Use one part household bleach for each nine parts of water and soak the containers for one-half hour. Do not use them until they are thoroughly dry. Firm the soil along the edges when filling flats. This prevents a crack next to the sides where water can run out without benefit to the plants. Fill to within ½ inch of the top with the prepared soil. Make the rows 2 inches apart and ½ inch deep across the narrowest portion of the flat. A narrow board cut to fit the flat is a good row marker.

SEEDING FLATS — Sow treated seed, when it is available, according to the instructions on the packet. Small seeds can be sown evenly and rapidly from the lip of packet. Larger seeds are planted individually. Do not sow too thickly. Cover the larger seed lightly; very fine seed not at all. Sprinkle the surface with a fine spray to make a good seed-to-soil contact. Cover the flat with clear plastic or glass to retain the surface moisture until the seed has germinated.

Conditions experienced during the first few days after emergence influence the growth of new plants throughout their life. The temperature range for seedlings should be between 65 and 75°F during the day and 50° to 60°F during the night. The cool night temperature prevents leggy growth in young seedlings.

New roots and shoots are extremely tender, so avoid fertilizing until the first true leaves start to appear. Then apply a water-soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus to encourage good root growth. Apply the solution at the rate the label recommends. After the first true leaves have developed, some rows will be too crowded. Start at one end of the flat and systematically thin out until there is ½ inch space between plants. This spacing allows the air to circulate around each seedling, which will help keep the foliage dry and reduce the chances of a disease attack.

To save space, new plants are often grown in the original seeding flats until their first true leaves appear. The seedlings are then transferred to individual containers or to other flats where they should be spaced on 2-inch intervals. The plants are grown in these flats until the garden is ready.

A biweekly watering with a starter solution will keep them healthy and vigorous. A good transplant should be short, stocky and vigorous when planting time arrives.

NUTRIENTS IN ONE POUND FRESH VEGETABLES

(Based on figures in USDA Handbook No. 8)