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.
In-Person Programs
Growing Together All-Ages Gardening Series
Harvest at the Mountain View Library
Wednesday, August 16 5:30 - 7 PM
Harvest at the Loussac Library
Thursday, August 17 12 - 1:30 PM
Harvest at the Muldoon Library
Thursday, August 17 4 - 5:30 PM
Harvest at the Chugiak-Eagle River Library
Friday, August 18 3 - 4:30 PM
Harvest at the Anchorage Museum SEED Lab
Tuesday , August 22 5:30 - 7 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 28th.
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.
What's In Bloom with the Alaska Botanical Garden
Join professional staff members for monthly guided walks through the Alaska Botanical Garden. Walks run from 6 - 7 PM and start at the admissions desk. Register for these and other Alaska Botanical Garden programs below.
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.
