That is the one column I don’t like writing. It’s the one the place I lay out what to do when that first frost is pending. I by no means repeat a column, however this one merely feels mistaken. It’s the similar data yearly.
Irrespective of how I really feel, what’s essential is taking good care of these vegetation that shouldn’t be hit by a frost. There are two variations from once I first began scripting this column virtually 50 years in the past. First, our frosts are later. I keep in mind one in late August.
Second, again then this frost was an especially severe matter. Nobody let their vegetation die of frostbite. As we speak, with common availability of issues to plant within the spring, many simply let their vegetation die again and begin over firstly of subsequent season.
Not me. The vegetation we save often do higher as they age. Take fuchsia and tuberous begonias, two of the staples in Alaska containers that shouldn’t be hit by a frost and ought to be saved for the winter season. It’s simple to carry yours in when a frost is threatened.
Fuchsia can proceed to develop indoors when you’ve got lights (which I do know all Alaska gardeners at the least my readers, do), in any other case trim them again right into a foot-tall pyramid form and retailer them in a darkish cool spot that by no means will get beneath freezing. The normal spot is a crawl house, however a closet in a cool storage will do. Temps ought to by no means get beneath 32.
Tuberous begonias can be saved of their containers, however you can even take away their corm and retailer individually. Both approach, allow them to die again for a few weeks. When you should take away the tubers due to house constraints, carry them after the plant has dried and retailer in sawdust, Styrofoam peanuts and even in paper baggage so long as the tubers don’t contact one another. Once more, they have to be stored cool, however by no means frozen.
Our dahlias are nonetheless blooming and yours in all probability are as effectively. Fortunately, dahlias can take a frost or three, so allow them to proceed to flower. While you do dig yours up, you will see the one tuber you planted this spring is now a banana-like mass of many. Every will generate a brand new plant subsequent spring should you deal with them correctly. Let the inexperienced die again after which reduce it off. You should depart an inch or so of the bottom of the stalk hooked up. When you break up the clump, part of the stem ought to be hooked up to every tuber. Label, retailer in sawdust, Styrofoam peanuts or particular person baggage.
We wish to hold our pelargoniums (aka geraniums) going all winter. They produce blooms in midwinter should you hold them cool and have lights (which you need to arrange or get now). Trim them again whenever you carry them in if they’re leggy. Or, you’ll be able to dig them up, place them the wrong way up in a paper bag and retailer in a darkish and funky place like the opposite issues we usher in.
I see of us with potted hydrangeas. These might be introduced inside and handled like a fuchsia. They are going to go dormant. Don’t prune as they in all probability set already buds for subsequent yr’s flowers. Oh, and rhodochiton might be saved of their pots, similar cool location. The seeds within the flowers will all be viable, so accumulate as many as you’ll be able to.
Gladioli corms can face up to frost. Dig yours up and retailer in baggage. Toss any that present indicators of rot. Don ‘t wash off the soil. And, label.
Lastly, as we take into consideration the primary frost vegetation, garlics ought to be on the checklist — solely planting them, not harvesting or bringing them in. Garlics are a few of the best issues you’ll be able to develop in an Alaskan house backyard.
I don’t want to present you any specifics right here as The Alaska Botanical Backyard has scheduled a garlic clinic by way of Zoom at 6 p.m. on Sept. 13. If this isn’t handy, you will get a hyperlink to a recording of the workshop however provided that you register in time on the occasions tab at www.alaskabg.org. Look out Gilroy.
Jeff’s Alaska Backyard Calendar:
Alaska Botanical Backyard’s on-line garlic sale: Friday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. Anticipate a complete promote out that day, so mark your calendar.
Alaska Apple Tasting: The Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Affiliation (APFGA) invitations you to a free apple and fruit tasting on Sunday, Sept. 11, from 1– 2:30 p.m. within the Anchorage Begich Center Faculty All-Goal Room. Pattern the various apple varieties grown regionally and uncover those that you simply need to develop!
Harvest: What are you ready for?
