Talk Dirt To Me

Gardening in Alaska presents big challenges, whether it's the extra effort in finding plants tough enough to survive our Zone 2-4 climate, communicating with like-minded Alaska gardeners, or keeping up with the latest trends, issues and solutions. We'll try to help with that. We'll also tour gardens from Homer to Anchorage to Wasilla to Willow whenever we get the chance, and post the best garden photos around. Presenting a forum about cold-weather gardening and for cold-weather gardeners is what we are all about. We hope you'll join us on the Talk Dirt garden blog.

Photographer and gardener Fran Durner (fdurner@adn.com) writes the blog.


2009 Garden galleries

Images from a full year of gardening in Alaska.

Jeff Lowenfels

A member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame, Jeff writes a weekly column on gardening in Alaska.

Review: The NEW Low-Maintenance Garden - 11/22/2009 5:20 pm

Reflections of the past summer - 11/18/2009 4:46 pm

Holiday flower show warms the day with blooms - 11/17/2009 4:04 pm

Stock up for Thanksgiving - 11/17/2009 10:05 am

Colorado based grocer operates own farm - 11/15/2009 3:48 pm

Review: Hardy Succulents - 11/12/2009 3:58 pm

Timelapse of a garden season - 11/11/2009 5:29 pm

Two forums of interest to gardeners this week - 11/10/2009 5:14 pm

First snow was a surprise - 11/9/2009 3:42 pm

Lesson learned - 11/8/2009 12:13 pm

Moose-free garden? - 11/5/2009 8:23 am

Book review: Black Plants - 10/29/2009 3:46 pm

November Garden Calendar - 10/28/2009 2:49 pm

Fall means apples and winter veggies - 10/26/2009 6:12 pm

Botany of Desire airs on Wednesday - 10/25/2009 5:39 pm

Some changes proposed for muni Horticulture Section - 10/22/2009 11:47 am

Verna and Frank Pratt recognized - 10/20/2009 10:35 am

Birds are gardeners' companions - 10/18/2009 6:58 pm

Anchorage is one of the best cities for community gardens - 10/14/2009 3:18 pm

Fall colors Outside - 10/14/2009 11:26 am

Take advantage of the sun to mow your leaves. - 10/12/2009 4:09 pm

A gardener's conundrum - 10/11/2009 5:00 pm

Really good news!

View July Garden Calendar
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Submit Your Garden Photos!

All plastic pots and cell packs will be accepted this year for recycling. Photo by Fran DurnerAll plastic pots and cell packs will be accepted this year for recycling. Photo by Fran DurnerThere will be a plastic pot recycling event again this year on Saturday, August 8, and this time they will ACCEPT ALL PLASTIC POTS and CELL PACKS!

Jeanne Carlson, recycling coordinator with the muni, says: "This year, we'll be taking all plastic pots, cell packs and trays, which must be sorted into two categories: #2 HDPE pots and #5,#6,& #7 pots, trays and cell packs. New this year is the collection of the #6 trays, pots and cell packs. These containers are rigid plastic that will crack or tear when bent. This addition should significantly increase the number of garden containers that can be recycled. Please remove metal hangers and excess dirt before bringing. Stack like pots to save space. And PLEASE, no pre- or post-event drop-off. It's a one-day event only!"

Mark your calendars for August 8. The event will be held again in the Benny Benson school parking lot next to the Alaska Botanical Garden from 10am to 5pm.

Contact ALPAR for more information – alpar@gci.net or 274-3266.