Category: Flowers

Hunting the Hawk(weed)

Mimi Corneliussen

Upon purchasing our land, our terra-knowledgeable neighbor informed us that he has Hieracium aurantiacum, aka Orange Hawkweed, growing on his property so it’s likely we do as well. Not knowing what Hieracium aurantiacum was, I wasn’t sure if I should be excited, relieved, or worried. I promptly went home, searched the internet, and found a deep orange flower that I thought would add color to our landscape. I opted for excited. After further reading, I learned that Orange Hawkweed has secured a spot on Alaska’s Invasive Species List. Now I’m Read More …

Radical Rhubarb: Why is all of my rhubarb going to seed?!

ekvanwyhe

I have grown up in a family of rhubarb fanatics! The sweet taste in pies, jams, and cakes is just the way to wake your body up after a long, dark winter. Recently, the rhubarb that I have growing has been flowering very frequently. I can go out a pull seed heads off of nearly every plant and it has always puzzled me (as well as frustrated me to no end). I have also had many friends post pictures on social media of their rhubarb going to seed asking “What Read More …

“Outside the Box” Gardening

Bonnie

Some summers are meant for gardens that only a long Alaskan winter can inspire. They are well planned beauties that encompass every bit of space your yard (and sometimes the neighbor’s) can sustain. If you are like me and have just moved and are spending every waking moment working like a mad woman to get the inside of your home in order before the fish come in and the berries are on, smaller scale gardening is a must. The home we are in does not have any raised boxes, or Read More …

What deadheading means for your plants

jhoffman

Deadheading is a technique used to prolong flowering in some annuals. By removing flowers past their prime and before seed production, energy will be directed toward producing more buds. This ensures your plant will continue to flower for the entire season. In some cases, removing some of the extra buds can create larger blooms. Flowers do not necessarily have to be dead before removing. After blooming, the flowers can be cut for use in arrangements. If your flowers are outdoors, this is a great way to liven up your indoor Read More …

Marigolds: Edible, Beneficial, and Beautiful

Heidi Rader

By Mary Hinkley, an Alaska Master Gardener in Tok, Alaska   I believe in marigolds. Though marigold’s pest resistant qualities are mentioned on many of their seed packets, I feel they’re under rated. Most of my raised beds have a marigold border. This serves two purposes; the garden is beautiful and it’s safe from pest invasion. Early this season I went to the local nursery to get some for my greenhouse and found that it was too early for their marigold crop, so I bought some seeds, went home, and Read More …

Edible Flowers in Alaska

Heidi Rader

A Lesson Plan for Gardening in Classroom in Alaska, By Amber Reece, An Alaskan Master Gardener Subject Area: Art and Writing Grade Level: Grade 3 Ideal Season For Lesson: Fall Nasturtiums are a spicy, edible flower. Photo by Heidi Rader. Time to Complete Lesson: 90 minutes, divided into three activities Materials Required: Chart paper or other media for recording class discussions Hand drawn flowering squash poster Prepared observation recoding forms (1 per student) Assorted edible flowers such as nasturtiums, pansies, squash flowers, lilies, broccoli, cauliflower Drawing paper and drawing supplies Writing Read More …