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 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.
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.
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.
The obvious challenges of making sure soil is fit to grow culinary herbs in Alaska has given rise to some of the most resourceful gardeners in America. Preparing early for winter and replanting when the frost is over are a few of the important things to consider if you want to make sure crops are given the best chance to thrive.
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 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.
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.
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.
The obvious challenges of making sure soil is fit to grow culinary herbs in Alaska has given rise to some of the most resourceful gardeners in America. Preparing early for winter and replanting when the frost is over are a few of the important things to consider if you want to make sure crops are given the best chance to thrive.
About the Author:
Read more about Make Sure Your Soil Is Fit To Grow Culinary Herbs In Alaska visiting our website.
0 commentaires:
Enregistrer un commentaire