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.

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Stone walls provide beauty and exercise - 1/26/2010 8:43 am

USDA program for high tunnels offered - 1/25/2010 8:08 pm

Worms could eat your garbage too - 1/24/2010 8:01 pm

Wildflower Garden Club offers annual scholarship - 1/21/2010 1:08 pm

Where did you find inspiration last year? - 1/19/2010 3:57 pm

Zaumseils say farewell for now - 1/18/2010 3:57 pm

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Zaumseils say farewell for now

Posted by talkdirt

Posted: January 18, 2010 - 3:57 pm

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This is the only photo I could find of Lori and Troy Zaumseil, in the backround, just behind our former governor, and at a Weed Fair in Anchorage in 2008. Erik Hill/ADNThis is the only photo I could find of Lori and Troy Zaumseil, in the backround, just behind our former governor, and at a Weed Fair in Anchorage in 2008. Erik Hill/ADNWeed warriors Lori and Troy Zaumseil, the force behind the movement that got everyone focusing on invasive weeds in Alaska sent out this email today:

Troy and I wanted to let everyone know that after much consideration and personal conflict, we have decided to step away from the CWMA (Cooperative Weed Management Area) and CANWIN (Citizens Against Noxious Weeds Invading the North). The last few years have been an incredible experience for both of us, we have always considered ourselves "accidental activists" and felt so lucky to be part of all this. We have never stopped being amazed at what a couple of "Average Joes" can do with some determination, sincere belief and no sense of what you can't do.

We are hopeful that CANWIN will be able to continue on with new directorship and know that the CWMA will move ahead with purpose and focus with Gretchen (Gary) to keep it moving.

Thank you all for an amazing experience. Fight on!!

Lori and Troy

Because of the Zaumseils, we now have a heightened awareness of the extensive damage invasive plants can do to our native ecosystems and to personal property as well as the pathways they take to enter the state. We now have a statewide weed coordinator. There is finally muscle behind the movement to educate the public and to prevent and manage the spread of invasives.

We will miss their enthusiasm but I have a feeling they will not be able to stay away for good!