Some of the best seed sources for northern gardeners are right here in Alaska

When it's below zero, it's a perfect time to think about this spring's gardens, so our look at seed sources continues this week. And who knew so many good Alaska sources are available?

Gardeners are likely to see Denali Seeds being sold on the racks that will be soon appear around town. The company's seeds are bred for Alaska conditions. If you see something on a Denali Seeds rack, rest assured it will grow in our unique climate. There are not many other seed-houses, if any, that can make that boast.

To order seed from Denali, there's a special website: Best Cool Seeds. This is a terrific site for any Alaskan (or other cool, short-season grower) and it is one a beginner should study.

Both heirloom and open-pollinated seeds are offered and, of course, visitors will find the stuff that makes for giant Alaska cabbages. You cannot go wrong with Best Cool Seeds. Find what you desire there and then wait for the racks, since there's no postage to pay that way.

Next, Rob Wells, who many know from farmers market fame, sells the tubers that produce the very same dahlias he sells every summer weekend. Rob tells me he grew almost 900 plants last summer consisting of over 250 varieties.

As a result, he has a larger inventory of tubers for sale. His 2017 Alaska-grown dahlia tubers are now being offered at his website, The Persistent Farmer.

Do check the site out. Click on the homepage's picture and you are in for photographic gold. In fact, let me award the site the coveted "Horticultural Porn Alert." Rob is based here in Anchorage, so readers in Southcentral can save a lot of money on shipping. (He also ships Outside, for those elsewhere who want to support a hardworking Alaska businessman.) Check it out. Wow!

Key in alaskahardy.com to get the 2015 Fritz Creek Catalog. I don't know if it's still in business, but the website is worth a look. Here are perennials that do well in Alaska. And, there is a lot of cultural information.

I keep talking about the use of natives versus non-natives as the debate we need to have here in Alaska before it is really too late. Still, it is obvious what the correct conclusion: natives win. (I can hear people screaming all over the state.)

A huge listing of various sources of plants native to Alaska is maintained by the best agency the state of Alaska has, the Division of Agriculture's Plant Material Center in Palmer.

The list contains only Alaska sources. I suspect many of the sources listed are not for individual sales, but clearly many are. Take a look, especially if you think there are not enough native plant options to grow a decent landscape (sheesh!).

While you are at the PMC site, do check out the information provided by the links on the left-hand side of the webpage. Again, in my opinion, this is the kind of government agency we should be paying for.

The staff does a great job, as the listings demonstrate. We should never let what happened to Cooperative Extension Service in Alaska repeated at PMC. Keep your hands off, legislators.

Speaking of the co-op, its variety listing is on the web — though it doesn't appear to have been updated recently. Want reliable varieties? Stick to these.

Finally, check out Haines-based Foundroot. The company's mission is to put itself out of business by selling made-for-Alaska, open-pollinated varieties that will enable Alaska gardeners to collect and develop their own seeds.

Many of the seeds were developed here and more are on their way. Do check out the website.

I saw my first seed racks of 2017 the other day. More will be coming. Be careful out there. Seed packets and online offerings are awful tempting this time of year.

Jeff’s Alaska Garden Calendar

Ice luminaries and candles: Learn how to make 'em at the Alaska Botanical Garden, 1-3 p.m. Feb. 11. There's a fee and space is limited. Reserve space at www.alaskabg.org.

Pelargoniums: Take cuttings now for spring and summer flowers.