Spring is here and your Anchorage Public Library is here to help you get the growing season off to a great start, and help you along the way to a fruitful summer growing season. Join us for a variety of activities on all things growing in Alaska.
Seed Libraries
Visit the Mountain View and Gerrish seed libraries to jump-start your garden. Stop by to get free non-GMO, organic, and some heirloom varieties of seeds for flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Available while supplies last. Mountain View Library offers trade or take options, for folks with a few extra seeds they’d like to share.Special thanks to the Girdwood Library Boosters for supporting the Gerrish seed library.
As of May 11th, the Gerrish Seed Library is now closed for the season.
In-Person Programs
Growing Together All-Ages Gardening Series
Seed Starting at Anchorage Museum - Lunch on the Lawn
Tuesday , June 11 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Seed Starting at Anchorage Museum - Lunch on the Lawn
Tuesday , June 25 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Garden Structures at the Chugiak-Eagle River Library
Wednesday , June 5 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Garden Structures at the Muldoon Library
Thursday , June 6 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Garden Structures at the Loussac Library
Friday , June 7 12 AM - 1:30 PM
Garden Structures at the Mountain View Library
Wednesday, June 12 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Garden Structures at the Gerrish Library
Friday , June 22 3 - 4 PM
Community Compost
If you’re a customer of Solid Waste Services you can register for their curbside compost program! Register NOW by calling SWS Customer Service at 907-343-6250.
The Curbside Compost program will begin May 1st and run through September 30th.
New this year are two pilot programs Workplace Composting and Neighborhood Compost Depots. Follow the link below for more information and to apply for programs.
Free finished compost pickup will not be available in 2023. Community members are encouraged to check out local resources for finished compost from places like Alaska Mill and Feed, Bell's Nursery, Southside Garden Supply, American Landscaping, Susitna Organics, and more.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension offers information on how to compost here.
Gardening Programs in our Communtiy
The library isn't the only place to learn about gardening! Check out these amazing community programs and classes taking place all over Anchorage.
Annual Seedling Exchange
Sunday , May 19 2 - 5 PM
Anchorage Permaculture Guild, Anchor Gardens and Yarducopia are once again hosting our Annual Seedling Exchange. Bring your excess garden seedlings and garden related things to give away, and come away with treasures donated by others! Bring potluck food and drinks, visit with your old gardening friends, and meet some new people!
Arbor Day Celebration
Monday, May 20 1 - 4 PM
Government Hill Commons is celebrating Arbor Day with Anchorage Soil & Water Conservation District and more. Stop by to explore the nursery, learn more about native plants, or come get your hands dirty and help build beds, pot up trees, and more!
Boyer's Orchard Blossom Festival
Saturday, June 3 12 - 4 PM
Join the Friends of Boyer's Orchard for a well-deserved celebration of Spring and Blossoms. The second-annual Blossom festival will feature more music, more activities, for vendors, and more chair massage!
Song Storytime in the Garden
Wednesday, June 12 11 - 12 PM
Join us monthly for an interactive song storytime as we read, sing, and move our bodies! This month's story is Inch, by Inch the Garden Song by David Mallett. The story and program are designed for ages 6 and younger. Program takes place outside rain or shine (bring a blanket to sit on). All children must be accompanied by an adult. Members and kids 6 and under are Free; $14 for Non-Members and ages 7+.
Pacific Region Garden Club Convention
Wednesday , August 21 - 23
Gardening Community Calendar
Check out other workshops, classes and programs happening in our community. This collaborative calendar shows events from all over Anchorage sponsored by several organizations and is updated regularly with new information.
Community Passport Program
Get out into the community and explore gardening groups and resources with the Community Passport program.
Work together as a group or venture out alone to collect stamps by completing gardening activities with participating organizations like the Anchorage Public Library, Anchorage Museum, Alaska Botanical Garden, and more. Get fifteen stamps to complete the challenge or go the distance and complete them all!
Passport copies can be picked up and finishers turned in at the following locations:
- Loussac Library (Passport Pickup Only)
- Anchorage Museum
- Alaska Botanical Garden
Thank you to the organizers of this program including Anchorage Public Library, Anchorage Museum, Alaska Botanical Garden, Anchorage Soil and Water Conservation District, Anchor Gardens, Yarducopia, UAF Cooperative Extension Service Anchorage, and the Municipality of Anchorage's Solid Waste Services Department.
