Starting Your Summer Garden Now
It’s late April in Alaska, which means garden prep season is officially here! While snow might still be hanging around in some areas, longer days and warmer temps are waking up the soil—and your green thumb. Whether you're in Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, or anywhere in between, now’s the time to get a head start on your summer garden.
Here are five practical tips to kick things off:
1. Start or Transplant Your Seedlings
If you haven’t already started your seeds indoors, don’t panic—you can still get fast-growing veggies like lettuce, radishes, and kale going now. For warm-weather crops like tomatoes, peppers, and squash, get those transplants started indoors ASAP under grow lights or a sunny window. If you’ve already started seedlings, begin hardening them off around mid- to late-May when temps stay above freezing.
2. Prep Your Beds and Soil
As the ground thaws, it's time to prep your beds. Remove mulch or debris from last year, turn over the soil, and mix in compost or aged manure to enrich it. Raised beds tend to warm up faster—bonus points if you cover them with black plastic to trap heat and speed things along.
3. Pick the Right Plants for Alaska
You’re gardening in the Land of the Midnight Sun, so take advantage of it! Choose cold-tolerant, short-season crops like:
- Carrots
- Cabbage
- Spinach
- Kale
- Potatoes
- Peas
- Beets
Many seed packets will list “days to maturity”—look for anything 60 days or less for the best results in most Alaskan regions.
4. Plan for Protection
Wildlife is no joke in Alaska gardens. Moose, voles, and even curious ravens can snack on your hard work. Put up fencing or netting early. Also, keep frost blankets or row covers nearby—late spring frosts can sneak in well into May.
5. Use the Sun to Your Advantage
By mid-May, you’ll be seeing 16+ hours of daylight, and your plants will love it. Make sure your garden space gets as much direct sun as possible. If you’re using containers, consider placing them in a south-facing spot or moving them to chase the sun throughout the day.
Final Tip: Don’t wait for everything to be perfect—just start where you are. Gardening in Alaska is a learning process, but the rewards are well worth it. With a little effort now, you’ll be harvesting fresh greens and root veggies all summer long.
Looking for more local tips? Contact the Alaskan Properties team at (907) 694-3434.