Anchorage Daily News

TALK DIRT TO ME

Alaska gardeners on what did and didn't work

Now that we've had some time to reflect, what would you say have been your successes and/or failures of the past summer? Please share your own experiences with us on the Talk Dirt Blog.

Gardening Blog: Talk Dirt To Me

November garden calendar

JEFF LOWENFELS

For an interesting houseplant, gather ye moss

I like mosses. They are some of my favorite plants. They don't grow very tall. They don't need any care. When they dry out, you just need to add water to green them up again. They really don't need all that much light. And they are beautiful.

TALK DIRT TO ME

Don't be too quick to lament the snow

I knew it was coming eventually, but when it began to snow Sunday evening, I wasn't psychologically ready for it.

Gardening Blog: Talk Dirt To Me

November garden calendar

JEFF LOWENFELS

Hydroponics is easier (and cheaper) than ever

I am trying to get more of you to try gardening using hydroponics, particularly during the winter months. It is a great way to garden indoors -- and indoors we are for nine months.

TALK DIRT TO ME

Options to consider to keep garden moose-free

My nose is running like a river and glowing as red as Rudolph's as I write. What is it about freeze-up and the end of outdoor gardening that lets one's immune system and defense mechanisms down?

Blog: Talk dirt to me

November garden calendar

JEFF LOWENFELS

Time to turn your thoughts to house plants

Nothing like frozen ground to make you realize the time to garden indoors for a while has arrived. Even the dog doesn't want to go out this time of year.

Local events for gardeners

Plants, tips, clubs, meetings

TALK DIRT TO ME

Act today or miss out

For those of you who have been waiting to find out if Bob Boyer will be selling his wonderful greenhouse apples again -- he is -- but only from 1-5 p.m. today.

Gardening Blog: Talk Dirt To Me

JEFF LOWENFELS

Chase the winter gloom with holiday blooms

Ah, winter settles in. Now how about getting those special, indoor plants to perform while we wait for the ground to thaw next spring?

TALK DIRT TO ME

Alaska plant pioneers receive lifetime award

The Anchorage Chapter of the Alaska Master Gardeners gave out their first ever Lifetime Achievement Award to Verna and Frank Pratt on Monday night.

Gardening Blog: Talk Dirt To Me

Local events for gardeners

Plants, tips, clubs, meetings

JEFF LOWENFELS

Lighting up is a must if you want to be a winter gardener

Nothing like a few nights in the 30s to get the gardener's attention. This really is the last call to action before the long, big freeze. Simply put, take care of those faucets, get the mulches down and put away those hoses.

TALK DIRT TO ME

Late-season delights

A gardener's conundrum: When faced with impending ice and snow, what is one to do when garden flowers are still in bloom?

Gardening Blog: Talk Dirt To Me

Local events for gardeners

Plants, tips, clubs, meetings

JEFF LOWENFELS

Finish yard preparations before Old Man Winter arrives

It is still warm after all these months. How could this be so? Denver? Snowed out. Chicago environs? Snow and temperatures in the teens. Clearly, this is not normal and we should not expect it to last.

JEFF LOWENFELS

Plant garlic now for spring flowers and an August crop

It seems to me the really hard frosts, the ones that tell you this is going to be a long winter and it is just beginning, are still a ways off. I am guessing the ground won't freeze for up to a month and the chances of that frost getting down very deep, quickly, seem slim.

TALK DIRT TO ME

Spotting maples

Does anyone remember a better fall season? It seems like it's going on and on and some trees haven't even begun to turn yet. Take a drive before the winds or killing frosts destroy the view.

Gardening Blog: Talk Dirt To Me

Local events for gardeners

Plants, tips, clubs, meetings

JEFF LOWENFELS

Time to get ready for long winter nap

Preparation for the winter and next year's growing season is the theme today.

College students, volunteers harvest fruits of their labor

In drizzling rain, Mat-Su College organic gardening class members and volunteers harvested the rest of what, for some, was their first garden.

Local events for gardeners

Plants, tips, clubs, meetings