planting flowers in alaska

Esther on 9/5/2010, 9:16 pm

I would like to plant some crocus in my sfg can I plant them along with other plants as they would come up 1st then the plants later? And then winterizing my sfg will that hurt covering them up? Love this forum sure do get lots of info thanks everyone your great!!!!!!

herbarium on 9/6/2010, 4:52 am

I would not plant crocus in my SFG unless I was able to contain them to one square. Since they are perennial and multiply they would eventually take up space where I would want other plants. Also, if there is any chance that someone else would do the harvesting and think they were something edible.
I have never covered my SFG for the winter - even in Anchorage. You can but if you do plant crocus you would need to uncover your garden in time for them to come up. I would also recommend only covering it with something that will allow water to still get through, whether or not you plant crocus.
Another option would be to sink a pot of crocus in the square or squares and then just pull out the pot when you are ready to plant.

Esther on 9/6/2010, 6:03 pm

Beuna thanks will do the pot thing and will not cover my sfg. Will I not lose the nutrients in the soil or is that why you add in the spring? Again thanks for your help!!!!!!

herbarium on 9/7/2010, 7:13 am

I don't worry about losing nutrients. The nutrients would be more likely to leach out the bottom than disappear through the top. I add compost in the spring and between each crop. If leaves fall on my garden I leave them there until spring. Not for protection but because if they decompose at all they would be improving my soil.

planting flowers in alaska

planting flowers in alaska

Re: planting flowers in alaska

Re: planting flowers in alaska

Re: planting flowers in alaska