OK, the season rolls on and the questions keep coming in. You would think that we would all be showing a bit of global warming-induced gardening fatigue, but such does not appear to be the case. It is our turn now and we are using every bit of the time we can, apparently.
First, can you cut back raspberry canes now? Raspberries are a funny type of plant. They produce stalks one year and then fruit on these stalks the next year. After that it is all over, they die and should be removed so there is room for new canes and so you won't have such a difficult time harvesting next year.
You can do this chore anytime after the plants fruit. You will know which raspberry canes to cut down because these are usually full of dried fruit and the "backs" to fruits that have been picked. The only problem with cutting raspberries back now are yellow jackets. This can be a big problem if you don't want to be stung due to allergies. One thing is for sure: If you still have fruit on the canes, you will be in peril. My advice is to either wait until after a frost or do the deed next spring. There is a second advantage to waiting, and that is the canes will be dead and you can snap them off at their base.
Next, a lot of questions about yellow jackets. Yellow jackets subsist by eating meat, usually that of aphids and other insects, but if it is available, the real deal like a dead rodent or your hamburger. Judging from the minimal numbers of aphids this year, I would say they are doing a good job (or there are not so many aphids). As the supply of food gets lower while August advances, yellow jackets get very aggressive, especially when they get the scent of food and drink. They also seem much more aggressive when you get near their nests, be they in the ground, woodpile or wherever.
You can divert yellow jackets to a decoy while picnicking or enjoying the backyard. A small bit of fish, meat or a dish of sugary soda or beer and they are easily distracted. Not so when gardening. You should keep an eye out and observe where they are flying from and to before you enter the garden and start working. Be careful out there.
OK, here is a sign we have all gone crazy. People are asking about crops that can be planted now, for goodness' sake. For starters, there is still time to plant another crop of lettuce. The stuff does not take very long to germinate and can be eaten immediately if you must. And if you plant this crop it in a container such as a deep flat, you can always bring the whole thing indoors if a frost is threatened.
Garlic is another crop that can be planted. Actually it can be done in either the spring or the fall with most gardeners getting the best results planting in the fall. Fall planting is normally four to six weeks before frost. Now would be that time! Don't delay.
Garlic is a surprisingly easy crop to grow here in Southcentral Alaska, at least, and probably does well in much of the state. My advice is to try to find bulbs at local nurseries rather than the supermarket. You need to separate them into cloves. Keep the white, papery skin covering on them. Let these cloves sit for a few days separated and then plant them 2 inches deep and about 4 to 6 inches apart. They need to be mulched with the rest of your bulbs later at the end of the season. You can harvest next July.
Finally, everyone's favorite big discount box store already has bags of spring-flowering bulbs and lots of folks have asked about which ones to buy and when to plant them. In years past I would have said avoid the crocuses and hyacinths for outdoor plantings, but with the warm winters we have had of late, I am not so sure that advice holds. As for planting time, go to it. What a terrific thing to see these bulbs here so early.
My suggestion is to buy as many of the tulips and daffodils as you can and then experiment with some of the others. Really, you can plant them now as it is not too early. They will benefit for it, too. Remember, don't use bonemeal or fertilizers and follow the directions that come with the particular bulb when it comes to depth. Since you are going to mulch over them, you don't have to do anything special because you live in Alaska with its long, cold winters. Just remember where you plant them so you can put the mulch on later.
Jeffs Alaska Garden Calendar
Harvest: Do it. What are you growing that stuff for? To eat. Or to donate to a food bank, Bean's or someone who needs it.
Harvest Day At the Alaska Botanical Garden: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12. A new, annual event to attend at The Alaska Botanical Garden. This is a fall harvest festival complete with a farmers market, lots of cooking demonstrations, live music and the normal family fun you associate with all of the great Alaska Botanical Garden events.
Bulbs: Look for them. Buy them and plant 'em.