Jeff Lowenfels
Alaska Dispatch News
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Past articles by Jeff:
How far should Alaska gardeners go to stop invasive species?
No one wants to give up their blue poppies or Brandywine heirloom tomatoes or beloved fuchsias. But we have to be sure our annuals and perennials won’t escape. → Read More
It's time to stop using non-native plants in Alaska gardens
We have to have this discussion if we want to prevent biological pollution that, in the long run, causes harm to this beautiful and biologically diverse state. → Read More
You're probably going to buy a poinsettia or two this holiday season. Here's how to care for them
Poinsettias are far from being Arctic plants. But with some care, they can thrive indoors in Alaska. → Read More
Anchorage gardeners are losing a dedicated public servant
For more than 30 years, Julie Riley has helped Alaska gardeners—and non-gardeners—in countless ways as a Cooperative Extension Agent extraordinaire. → Read More
Thinking of trying hydroponics? Take the next step and add fish
Aquaponics gives you a low-maintenance growing system with side benefits. → Read More
Are you a 'homardener' yet? If not, you should be.
OK, so the term might not catch on. But the practice of gardening indoors year round ought to. → Read More
It's too early to put out your bird feeders — but not too early to start readying them
Between 25 and 100 bird species overwinter in Alaska, so setting up feeders is well worth the small effort it takes. → Read More
Seriously, put down the rake. Your lawn will be better for it.
Leave those leaves and clippings on the ground and you will never have to fertilize your lawn again. → Read More
Outdoor gardening will be over soon. It's time to talk about cleanup and indoor growing
Take these steps now to prepare for the end of the outdoor season. → Read More
It's been an extraordinary summer for Alaska gardeners. Is this the new normal?
Frankly, I don't know what to think of this summer. Of course, it was a terrific one, probably the best we've ever had weather-wise in the 40-plus-year life of this column. Still, questions persist: Was the wonderful warmth because of El Nino? Was this one in a string of ever warmer ones in Alaska? Or was it just another of those extreme weather events we have all been told to expect? Are we… → Read More
You can collect next year's seed from this year's garden. Here's what you need to know
With a little effort potatoes and other perennials can be harvested for seed as well as food. → Read More
We hate to say it, gardeners, but it's time to think about frost
Writing this column each year is a melancholy time for me — as it must be for you. I don't care how much you like winter sports, no gardener wants to see that first frost. → Read More
Thanks to a warm, dry spring, Southcentral Alaska's having a terrific year for apples
All of a sudden there are fruiting apple trees everywhere in Southcentral Alaska! Actually, they have been here all along, but they're experiencing a terrific crop this year. → Read More
Growing season's almost over. Have you planned your cover crop yet?
Planting rye, oats, legumes — even daikon radishes -- before the first frost will benefit your garden's soil. → Read More
'Something's got to be wrong with this plant
It's hard to diagnose plant issues based on leaves alone, but you can learn some things. Here's where to start. → Read More
Get rid of this pretty but invasive weed before it's too late
It is time for mail call wherein I try and answer timely questions that may be of use to more than the inquirers. In short, one gardener's problem is probably another's. Let's start with a photo a reader sent this week. To her it was the most beautiful bunch of miniature yellow snapdragon with an orange throat and she wanted to know what the variety was. Of course, this is the invasive weed… → Read More
Here's what your flowers need right now
Whether you cut flowers to bring indoors, or leave them in the ground, they need some attention this time of year. → Read More
Here's why you should be thinning your root vegetables now
Have you thinned out your beets and carrots yet? These root crops need room. → Read More
This crazy summer weather means gardeners have to pay a little extra attention
Don’t be lazy just because things are growing so well this year without your help. → Read More
This was a great year for lilacs. Here's how to make sure next year is, too.
Anchorage's mild winter probably played the biggest role, but there are things you can do now to maximize next year's flowers. → Read More