Planting season advice

As the winter season ends and breakup season begins, excitement also builds for planting season. Farmers, gardeners and hobbyists have all been looking forward to this for months and as the temperature begins to rise, fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers and sunshine fill our thoughts.

Few of us enjoy the bite of 30-below temperatures, but there are some good reasons to be thankful for winter. Cold for long periods helps aerate the soil and kill unwanted pests and microbes you cannot even see such as fungi, bacteria and viruses. Microbial pests are not to be underestimated; one of the most devastating microbial problems occurred in Ireland where the potato blight caused a nationwide famine from 1845-1852. More than a million people died primarily from starvation because of the destruction of their staple crop — potatoes.

The blight that caused the famine in Ireland is carried by the family of plants know as the nightshades and include other members such as tomatoes, peppers and tobacco. The state of Alaska bans the import of these plants and seed potato tubers from known restricted areas of disease.

Every year, plant diseases are introduced into Alaska from sources when growers purchase plant materials (seeds, potatoes, slips, plants, etc.) from outside the state. Growers should be very aware not to purchase from an uncertified grower. Potatoes, for example, should not be planted from grocery store stock or from other sources like unverifiable Internet sellers. Even local grown potatoes in the grocery stores should not be planted in the garden for potato production.

Buy plants — especially tomatoes and peppers — from sources in Alaska or start your own from seed. Buy Alaska-certified seed potatoes — they are grown and certified disease-free in Alaska.

Call your local greenhouse, farmer or nursery supply source and find out what varieties are available. Another great source for information is to email our state potato specialist, Bill Campbell, at williamcampbell@alaska.gov.