A boggy or swampy surface may indicate the ground is too frozen to allow drainage. But if the surface insulation (often peat moss) is removed, the permafrost can then melt down to a level that permits good natural drainage. Unfortunately, soils in Alaska are cold even where there is no permafrost at all!
10 Soil-Warming Tips
The most frequent recommendations for soil warming are:
raised beds
clear plastic
lightening heavy soils
(These three will be discussed in more detail in part 2)
Other home gardening possibilities are planting in the sunniest spot, using greenhouses or hot frames, putting Styrofoam? insulating boards and/or heat tapes below the plants? root zone, and utilizing solar collectors. If possible, water with tempered (warmed) water.
For vegetables not under plastic, sprinkler irrigation is most often recommended for Alaska, as warm air helps warm sprinkler water. Avoid sprinkling beans, which are particularly susceptible to soil-born disease organisms, spread by splattering water drops.
Ann D Roberts is the author of Alaska Gardening Guide Vol 1, covering cold weather gardening in Alaska, with specific growing tips for vegetables.
irrigation systems