Tour
the Garden
More about Gardens & Trails
Master Plan
Wildlife in the Garden
Contact
& Staff Information
Soil,
Watering, Mulching, Pest Control
In 2007, the Alaska Botanical Garden adopted a "sustainability" resolution which includes embracing organic and sustainable horticultural practices.
ABG
has a compost pile, in which selected garden clippings
are recycled. The composted material is then used
in the gardens as a soil amendment.
Pest control techniques utilized by ABG include IPM (Integrated
Pest Management) strategies and organic, non-toxic controls. |
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The Alaska Botanical Garden consists of about 110 acres of "boreal forest", with approximately 11 acres of cultivated gardens and interconnecting nature trails.
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ABG's Master Plan calls for most of the land to remain in a natural state. While many of the gardens identified by the Master Plan have yet to be constructed, existing gardens include an entrance garden / exhibit area
a formal herb garden, a rock garden,
a wildflower trail, a self-guided nature trail.
The success of the Alaska Botanical garden is rooted in the work of a
dedicated pool of more than 170 volunteers, who maintain the gardens,
assist with special events, serve on the Board of Directors and
committees,
and contribute a tremendous amount of expertise
and enthusiasm.
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In addition to the gardens, some of the infrastructure elements of the
Master Plan have been completed, including a perimeter
fence,
extended mushing trail, electricity to the nursery, and a, water
well.
In recent years, ABG
has received grants from the State of Alaska,
the Rasmuson
Foundation, U.
S. Dept. of HUD, and Atwood Foundation
to develop the gardens
and facilities.
The generosity of many individual donors and local businesses has also contributed significantly to the development of the Alaska Botanical Garden. Please visit our Donor page for more information about our contributors, and to learn about ways that you can help to support this valuable public resource.
Fundraising continues as we work towards adding new gardens
and visitor facilities. |
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Weather, Daylight and the Gardening Season in
Southcentral Alaska
The
average annual precipitation in the
Anchorage area is just
over 15 inches.
The average annual temperature is only
35.7
degrees Fahrenheit. In June, July,
and August, the average
daily high
temperatures are in the mid 60's, with
a range
from 55 to 80 degrees.
The
longest day of the year falls on summer
solstice, June 20
or 21. In Anchorage, the
solstice brings 19 hours and 20
minutes of
daylight. Anchorage's shortest day of the year
is in late December, with only 5 hours and 28
minutes of
daylight.
In the
Anchorage area, the growing
season is about 120 days long.
The first frost-free date can vary widely, from the end
of April until the end of May;
and the first Autumn frost may occur anytime between
the end of August and the middle of
September.
A "typical" growing season is
mid-May through mid-September.
Changes
in elevation of 500 feet in the Anchorage
bowl can
shorten the growing season by
one week on each end! |
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