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.
It isn't only the soil that has a rough time from Alaskan winters, it is the plants too. Therefore, natives have to start preparing their seeds indoors for when the last of the frost finally dissipates, usually around May 31.
The short growing season means that soil prep is a process that takes place throughout the whole of the winter, usually before the first frost of winter touches the ground. Alaskans have a variety of techniques to keep the land fertile but usually it boils down to two choices: going to the University of Alaska or purchasing a test kit to see how they can improve the soil. Unsurprisingly, the test kit option is cheapest and the one that is used most frequently.
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.
During the winter the tending of earth does not stop. Gardeners often use substances like wood ash and spread this over the land. Another thing some use are coffee grounds, as these can provide a deterrent against root maggots, the coffee grounds preventing the flies from laying eggs on the land, eggs that create the 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.
It isn't only the soil that has a rough time from Alaskan winters, it is the plants too. Therefore, natives have to start preparing their seeds indoors for when the last of the frost finally dissipates, usually around May 31.
The short growing season means that soil prep is a process that takes place throughout the whole of the winter, usually before the first frost of winter touches the ground. Alaskans have a variety of techniques to keep the land fertile but usually it boils down to two choices: going to the University of Alaska or purchasing a test kit to see how they can improve the soil. Unsurprisingly, the test kit option is cheapest and the one that is used most frequently.
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.
During the winter the tending of earth does not stop. Gardeners often use substances like wood ash and spread this over the land. Another thing some use are coffee grounds, as these can provide a deterrent against root maggots, the coffee grounds preventing the flies from laying eggs on the land, eggs that create the 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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