Basic Planting Calendar for Gustavus, Southeast Alaska
Starting seeds indoors in Alaska gives a jump start to our gardens so that they can suddenly fill up once the weather is amenable.
Keep records of dates you start seeds, varieties, and learn what works best for you.
Thermostat controlled heat mats and LED grow lights increase germination and prevent leggy plants. Adjust the distance of your lights as your plants grow taller.
A greenhouse provides natural light and makes plants hardier than those grown in a house. You will want to have a way to keep plants from getting nipped or freezing in cool weather (row covers, heat mats, or a heat source)
January & February:
Nourish yourself, relax and reinvigorate for the coming season.
Get inspired by reading and researching about garden topics you are curious about.
Dream and make plans!
January: start herbs seeds like Echinacea or Rhodiola that require stratification (freeze and thaw)
February: start leek seeds indoors.
March:
Early March, start indoors slow germinating seeds: parsley, celery, onions (long daylight varieties), pansies, slow growing herbs like rosemary, lavender, thyme. and tomatoes and peppers.
Late March: start indoors cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, basil, flowers like bachelor buttons, lavatera, strawflower, marigolds, slow growing herbs- german chamomile, anise hyssop.
We use thermostat controlled heat mats and a woodstove in our greenhouse and kick cool weather plants like onions out as soon as possible as they get stronger in more natural conditions vs the warmth of our house.
April:
Start indoors, do one planting then 2 weeks later another planting so you get a continuous harvest: fennel, kohlrabi, lettuce, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, broccoli, collards, chard. herbs like marigolds, poppies
Late April: fast growing flowers like nasturtiums, zucchini, winter squash.
Getting plants outdoors in a greenhouse or covered shelter will increase vigor and reduce legginess. In this case protect from frost on cool nights so plants don't get nipped or damaged.
Keep potting plants up as they grow so they stay healthy. Root bound plants are not as vigorous.
Prune fruit trees and berry bushes.
May:
Start indoors, do one planting then 2 weeks later another planting so you get a continuous harvest: fennel, kohlrabi, lettuce, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, broccoli, collards, chard. herbs like marigolds, poppies.
Late April: fast growing flowers like nasturtiums, zucchini, winter squash.
Getting plants outdoors in a greenhouse or covered shelter will increase vigor and reduce legginess. In this case protect from frost on cool nights so plants don't get nipped or damaged
Keep potting plants up as they grow so they stay healthy.
Root bound plants are not as vigorous.
Prune fruit trees and berry bushes
June:
Direct seed : baby greens like arugula, mixed greens, kyona, lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, beets, carrots, parsnips, turnips, cilantro, dill.
Transplant: kale, cabbage, onions, flowers, zucchini
Succession plant things like baby greens, lettuce, cilantro, dill for a continuous harvest.
It is essential that your brassica crops are covered by row covers so they don't get devoured by root maggots!
July:
Direct seed: baby greens like arugula, mixed greens, kyona, lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, turnips, cilantro, dill.
Succession plant things like baby greens, lettuce, cilantro, dill for a continuous harvest.
It is essential that any new plantings of brassica crops (daikons or turnips) are covered by row covers so they don't get devoured by root maggots!
August:
Direct seed: last chance to seed baby greens like arugula, mixed greens, kyona, lettuce, spinach, cilantro. I don't plant any later than mid-August, after that the sun and temps are too low for much growth.
Cover crops also can be planted anytime from spring until mid-August. Its diminishing returns after that.
September:
Savor the harvest. Preserve for winter.
Plant garlic in late September. Add fertility to the bed, plant, mulch then cover.!
October:
Put beds to rest- cover with seaweed, leaves or fabric.
Clean up all those crazy messes from summer fun and projects.
November & December:
Enjoy the benefits of your labors. Nourish yourself, relax, and stay warm!
CARING FOR SEEDLINGS
Managing moisture is hard. Too dry and your seedlings will die. Too moist and your seedlings can die from fungal diseases or your soil will grow fungi
To prevent fungus I make herbal teas and water my plants with these. Chamomile, Calendula and Neem Leaf are my favorites to keep seedlings healthy.
Plants in the middle of trays often stay far more moist than seedlings on the edges, take special care to water around the edges.
Feed your plants Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner: as your plants grow pot them up into bigger containers or soil blocks always adding more nutrients.