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
Rock Painting at Anchorage Museum - Lunch on the Lawn
Tuesday , July 16 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Rock Painting at Anchorage Museum - Lunch on the Lawn
Tuesday , July 30 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Growing Knowledge with the Loussac Library
Friday , July 10 12 PM - 1:30 PM
Growing Knowledge with the Muldoon and Mountain View Libraries
Wednesday , July 10 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Growing Knowledge with the Chugiak-Eagle River Library
Wednesday , July 17 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Growing Knowledge with the Gerrish Library
Friday , July 20 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.
Song Storytime in the Garden
Wednesday, July 10 11 - 12 PM
Join us monthly for an interactive song storytime as we read, sing, and move our bodies! This month's story is “Up, Down, and Around” by Katherine Ayres. 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+.
UAF Cooperative Extension Yardwork Series
Learn how to manage weeds, turn your yard into a meadow, manage soil, and create and maintain a beautiful lawn in a series of free, online workshops hosted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service. The series is available statewide.
Wednesday, July 10 12 - 1 PM
Join Cooperative Extension Service invasive plants instructor Gino Graziano to learn how to manage weeds with natural and synthetic herbicides. Graziano will overview how herbicides manage weeds and which is the most effective. Neither natural nor synthetic herbicides are entirely safe, so he will discuss precautions for other plants, pets, pollinators and people.
Wednesday, July 17 12 - 1 PM
Paul Marmora, a past president of Cook Inlet Bonsai Study Group, past co-president of the Wildflower Garden Club of Alaska and long-time master gardener, will discuss how he turned his lawn into a natural landscape. He will review his process, successes and failures, and things to remember if you are considering moving away from the lawn.
Wednesday, July 24 6 - 7 PM
Learn about soil management and biochar with Caley Gasch, research assistant professor of soil science at the UAF Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station, and Darren McAvoy, an associate professor of extension and forestry specialist at Utah State University. They will talk about soil management and what biochar is, how to make it, and how it might affect and help soil health.
Wednesday, July 31 12 - 1 PM
Stephen Brown will answer the questions: How do you get a beautiful lawn, and how do you keep it that way? Brown is a Cooperative Extension Service agriculture, horticulture and natural resources agent.
For full series details and to register please use the link below.
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.
