Wisdom like this doesn't grow on trees

By Ann D. Roberts
Review by Linden Staciokas
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
April 22, 2001
(emphasis added)

This book is the perfect example of the adage "Don't judge a book by its cover.'' The cover's color is a bilious green, with a picture from the Beatles era that--because it offers a blessed respite from that wretched not-found-in-nature green--immediately causes your eyes to focus on the shirt of the unnaturally posed woman rather than the astoundingly large cabbage she is meant to be showcasing. However, close your eyes until you get inside, and you'll discover what I consider to be the premier book on gardening in Alaska.

The book is divided into three parts, plus appendices. The first section covers the basics of gardening in Alaska and gives general information on soil improvement, spring seed starting, planting, harvesting and shutting down shop for the winter. The next segment, "Beyond the Basics,'' covers essentials such as dealing with pests (both the bug and weed varieties), plant diseases, taming cold and wet soil, perennials and greenhouses.

The most fun is Part 3: "Plant Specifics.'' It contains a section for almost every vegetable and berry that can be grown in Alaska, as well as some that many swear cannot be grown here (such as cantaloupe, Jerusalem artichokes and watermelon). Turn to beets, for example, and you will learn the botanical family name (Chenopodiaceae), the optimum pH (6 to 6.8) and the fact that in Alaska beets are grown as annuals rather than biennials. Next to the picture, you'll find another paragraph of explanation, followed by the same five categories provided for each showcased vegetable: soil and site, sowing, cultivation, challenges and harvesting.

Many people will find the appendices to be the most useful part of the book. The sheer exhaustiveness is remarkable. I expected to find a planting guide, a soil pH chart, a guide to early starting dates and perhaps a companion planting guide. Instead I was overwhelmed by the helpfulness and variety by the contents of appendices A, B and C. I found a manure chart, seed sources for Northern varieties, storage time and temperature, an Alaska zone map, an herb chart, as well as addresses for the various offices of the Alaska Cooperative Extension offices. But the most unexpected were "Addresses for Polyethylene Films'' and "Fan Air Delivery Capacities.'' I mean, how comprehensive can an author get?

The price of Alaska Gardening Guide recently went up $5, but it is still a bargain. It is crammed full of photographs and wisdom garnered not just from the author's own extensive experience, but from the writings and tales of numerous other home gardeners, university experts and nursery owners. If she couldn't quote the entire text of a particular person's wisdom, Ann tells you where to obtain the full speech, article, pamphlet or publication.

I was honored to get a sneak preview of this book while it was in the galley stages, because Ann Roberts wanted a quote from me for the back cover. Now, having read it after all the corrections and with the pictures added, I find that what I said then remains absolutely true today: "The best measure of a gardening book is its usefulness to the home enthusiast, and by that standard Alaska Gardening Guide is superior. Exhaustive, plain-spoken and generously illustrated, it will soon become THE definitive and indispensable reference guide to every Alaskan gardener ... I am filled with envy that I did not write it!''

Ann Roberts has a series of local signings coming up Saturday and in May, where you can pick up a personally autographed copy of this wonderful work:

• Saturday, 1-4 p.m.: The Plant Kingdom, 620 Fideler Road 
  (off Farmers Loop, across the road from the fire station).

• May 10, 6-8 p.m.: Gulliver's on 3825 College Road

• May 12, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Georgeson Botanical Garden 
  plant sale, University of Alaska Fairbanks, West Tanana 
  Drive, in the greenhouse next to the visitor's center.

• May 12, 1:30-4 p.m.: Tanana Valley Farmer's Market 
  season opening, at the entrance to the fairgrounds located 
  at College Road and Aurora Drive.

• May 13, 2-4 p.m.: Holm Town Nursery, 1301 30th Ave.

Click here when ready to order.

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