Gardening

How far should Alaska gardeners go to stop invasive species?

The response so far from readers to the idea, raised in my last column, that Alaskans should stop using non-native trees and shrubs, has been interesting, to say the least. We are in the in-between period insofar as gardening in Alaska is concerned, so there is plenty of time to still weigh in on the subject (comment below or reach me through my website jefflowenfels.com).

While I await more comments, let me clarify things a bit.

First, please remember there is only so much one can fit into a 650-word column. This is not some whimsical idea. We have, perhaps, a chance to make a difference. We are at a crossroads. The decision is up to us. And, yes, I realize it may not go my way.

Second, let me clarify where annuals and perennials fit into my scheme. I am not in any way suggesting Alaskans stop planting them. No one wants to give up their blue poppies or Brandywine heirloom tomatoes or beloved fuchsias. What I am saying is that we have to be absolutely sure the annuals and perennials we do introduce to Alaska yards won't escape. Some, like the giant blue bachelor buttons (and any number of "oh, take a cutting" plants) are terribly invasive and should be outlawed. Even some of the slower escapers, like the beloved Ligularias we all cherish, are much slower to leave the property, but they do. Who knew? What to do?

In addition to escaping, the concern about using annuals and perennials that are not native to the area is their impact on animal life. If our trees get woolly aphids because the right birds are not around to eat them (that's a made-up example, but you get the point) and then lose needles, we are to blame and we suffer. We should want to keep biological diversity. Perhaps the rule of thumb needs to be "some non-escaping natives, just not all non-natives."

Next, some of you expressed concerns about sources of native plant material. Where are we going to buy this stuff? I will talk more about these as we approach buying season, to be sure. However, there is already lots of stuff available. You can find native birch among the non-native birch varieties in the tree lots, for example. There are also native grasses available. And if there is more demand for native plants, some entrepreneurial Alaskans will take up the challenge and meet it.

We Alaskans actually already have a state-funded Plant Material Center (great folks) in Palmer which realizes that home gardeners have an economic impact as well as farmers and therefore develops strains of natives for home use. We just need to be a bit more vocal and they will respond just as they do to vocal farmers. Then, too, a great thing about natives is that you can grow a lot of them on your own.

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Some of the readers who wrote are already into using only native plants. And some readers wanted to know what to do about those non-natives that are already growing in their yards and cabins. (Others think I am taking something much stronger than cannabis and should never be allowed to write another column.)

Should the municipalities around Alaska continue to list non-natives as acceptable beatification material? Should they and we remove those offending trees that affect streams (and thus salmon progeny)? What is acceptable and what is not? We should least talk about it.

Finally, there were questions of whether it is even possible to go back to natives because it may be too late. Other readers were far too libertarian to entertain the idea of an imposed planting ban. And, one reader even suggested we could have both worlds if only some of us use non-natives.

Your thoughts? Write the paper, comment on the site or — now that you have my website (jefflowenfels.com) — let me hear from you.

Jeff’s Alaska Garden Calendar

Seeds to start, Onions: Most gardeners start them from sets. If you want to start them from seed, now is the time. Cut seedlings back to 3 inches until time to transplant. Never let the soil dry out. These do not need light to germinate.

Seeds to start, Celery: Nothing tastes more unlike what you get from the store than homegrown celery. It is a long time before we can garden outdoors, but if you have lights, give it a try.

Gardening 101: Join the staff of the Alaska Botanical Garden for three fantastic classes Feb. 18, Feb. 25 and March 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the garden. There is limited space and an $85 fee. More information and registration is available at alaskabg.org/event/workshop-gardening-101/.

Jeff Lowenfels

Jeff Lowenfels has written a weekly gardening column for the ADN for more than 45 years. His columns won the 2022 gold medal at the Garden Communicators International conference. He is the author of a series of books on organic gardening available at Amazon and elsewhere. He co-hosts the "Teaming With Microbes" podcast.

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