Garden column by Jeff Lowenfels from Anchorage, AK

Jeff Lowenfels

Lowenfels: Good watering system is worthwhile

Face it: You will need to water your plants this spring and summer whether you like it or not. Set up a system, and all you have to do is open a valve or two or set a timer.

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Archive by category ''Jeff Lowenfels

JEFF LOWENFELS

Lowenfels: Moment to mulch is now -- just be careful

What a difference a week makes! Who even remembers winter? I sure don't, given the number of things I keep finding to do in my spring garden.
JEFF LOWENFELS

Lowenfels: Debris from fall windstorms will be evident as snow melts

A lawn hereabouts this time of year looks like hell. It's likely to be worse this year, in the wake of last fall's destructive windstorm.
JEFF LOWENFELS

Lowenfels: As the snow goes, consider marigolds

A few of you were caught off guard by the fast snow melt. If you are feeling like you should plant lots of seeds to make up for lost time, why not consider marigolds?
JEFF LOWENFELS

Lowenfels: As snow melts, postpone pruning

Lots of questions this time of year. The snow is melting fast enough so that most now believe this really is spring. Having noticed, they ask things like: "Is this a good time to trim up trees and shrubs?"
JEFF LOWENFELS

Lowenfels: Ignore the snow; there's still time to start seeds indoors

I know it snowed like crazy since last Thurday's column, and I know that really set us all back. But honestly folks, I keep records on this sort of thing and by my accounts it shouldn't be but six weeks (give or take a few days) before we will actually have our hands in the outdoor soils. The end...
JEFF LOWENFELS

Lowenfels: Start cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli

Somewhere along the way, growing cauliflower and broccoli lost its thrill for many an Alaska gardener. Cabbage used to be the main crop in most vegetable gardens. Growing it became a cliche. I suspect more slugs and moose ate it than did humans.
JEFF LOWENFELS

Lowenfels: Start stepping up the gardening prep

You know the rule: If you are going to call yourself an Alaska gardener, you have to grow something from seed or start. This week, things really get into swing and the choices open up.
JEFF LOWENFELS

Lowenfels: Growing peppers in Alaska worth the effort

If the Holy Grail of gardening is the perfect tomato, the perfect pepper can't be too far away. If want to grow a good pepper in Alaska, you need -- as with the tomato -- two things: an outdoor greenhouse and early seed starts.
JEFF LOWENFELS

Lowenfels: Time to start leeks is right now

Sometimes you think to yourself, "Is it worth writing a column on so and so or not?"
JEFF LOWENFELS

Lowenfels: Get grow lights and start seeds now

There are two traditional things to do in March when it comes to gardening in Southcentral. First, start growing things indoors.