ZONES 1 & 2
Found mostly in Alaska, Zones 1 and 2 require plants that are tough enough to withstand the tundra due to an annual average minimum temperature of -50ºF. With a short growing season from April through September, veggies that require minimal grow periods and native perennials are going to be a gardener’s safest bet.
Since much of Zones 1 and 2 are located in the wild, be sure to keep critters such as deer and rabbits at bay with Garden Fencing & Barriers or, even better, protect veggie crops from the cold as well with a Juwel All Season Cold Frame.
States in Zones 1 & 2: Alaska
SPRING
While some traditional veggies simply won’t survive this far north, many will as long as you start seedlings inside six weeks prior to the last frost and transplant them outdoors in mid-May. Just like in warmer climates, spring in these zones is the best time to plant most veggies as well as annual and perennial flowers (just make sure they’re hardy enough for their roots to survive underground during winter frosts).
Recommended Plants:
Vegetables & Herbs
- Carrots
- Lettuce
- Broccoli
- Dill
- Chives
Fruits & Berries
- Chokeberries
- Lingonberry
Flowers
- Iceland Poppies
- Cranesbill
Trees & Shrubs
- Lapland Rhododendron
- Quaking Aspen
SUMMER
Hardy veggies with a very short grow time can be planted in summer for a fall harvest in Zones 1 and 2, but even though frosts shouldn't be a concern it’s still best to begin seedlings indoors at least four weeks before transplanting the starts outside. You can also continue to fill your garden in with flowers and trees over the season.
Recommended Plants:
Vegetables & Herbs
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Rutabagas
- Chinese Cabbage
Fruits & Berries
- Sour Cherry Trees
Flowers
- Columbine
Trees & Shrubs
- Dwarf Birch
FALL
While primarily a harvest season, believe it or not fall’s also the best time to plant certain herbs and veggies that can tolerate upcoming freezes in anticipation for next year. It’s also a good time to get perennial flower bulbs underground in preparation for a vibrant spring garden.
Recommended Plants:
Vegetables & Herbs
- Garlic
- Radish
- Spinach
- Mint
Fruits & Berries
- Cranberries
Flowers
- Siberian Iris
- Lily of the Valley
Trees & Shrubs
- Spirea