Long hours of daylight along with the use of varieties adapted to Alaska’s climatic conditions can result in an top-notch garden. Alaska gardeners have even fewer species of garden pests to cope with than in the "Lower 48." This publication contains information on a very important part of a successful garden-varieties adapted to Alaska. The information is presented so that it will help you choose one or more vegetable varieties that should be successful in your garden and also meet your particular requirements. Most of these varieties were field tested by research horticulturists at the Agricultural Experiment Stations in Alaska. Many of the varieties recommended for Southcentral Alaska were tested at the station in Palmer by researchers. Testing was also done by extension specialists and agents and Master Gardeners. Additional testing was also conducted by the Plant Materials Center, Palmer.

Gardening is a very popular activity throughout the United States. The ranks of home gardeners include people from all walks of life. In addition to providing fresh produce for the family, gardening also provides an escape from the stress and tension of everyday life and enables the gardener to experience a basic association with the earth. Alaskan gardening can be a challenge because of the cool soil temperatures and short seasons, but it can also be veryrewarding. After you have selected the varieties suitable for your location, you can obtain the gardening information you need for Alaska by contacting your District Alaska Cooperative Extension office. Request a copy of HGA-00134, 16 Easy Steps to Gardening in Alaska.

The data included in the following recommended variety tables contains a wealth of information based on extensive research and observation. It is presented in a manner that will enable you to choose a suitable variety based on comparative information. The information on maturity and yield are best used by comparing the different varieties. Results may differ for each gardener depending upon soil type and fertility, weather, location, and garden management practices. The important factor to consider is how well each variety does when grown under similar conditions.

by Wayne G. Vandre, Horticulture Specialist, Alaska Cooperative Extension

and

Donald E. Carling, Professor of Horticulture, University of Alaska Fairbanks Agricultural Experiment Station, Palmer, Alaska

351/2-84/WV/3000 Reprinted March 1999

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service programs are available to all, without regard to race, color, age, sex, creed, national origin, or disability and in accordance with all applicable federal laws. Provided in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Anthony T. Nakazawa, Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Garden Vegetables

Varieties in bold type are especially recommended for freezing.

Variety & Source - Maturity - Yield Comments

Snap Beans*

Contender, St, P, TW, D Earliest Heavy Pods may become splashed with purple
Provider, St, P, Tw, J, D Early Heavy Good quality
Strike, St Midseason to late Heavy Good quality
Top Crop, Bu, F Midseason Moderate Good quality & dependable
Royal Burgundy, Tr, Tw, L, St Midseason Moderate Good quality & dependable
Roma, Bu, V Midseason to late Moderate Straight, flat wide pods, good flavor

Beets

Boltardy, T&M, D Intermediate Heavy Does not go to seed, solid dark red, and round
Ruby Queen, NK, D Early Heavy Uniform, smooth
Cylindra F, T&M, SB Intermediate Fair Long, cylindrical
Burpee Golden, St, Bu Intermediate Fair Round, golden instead of red flesh

Broccoli

Shogun, S, A&C, Tr, D Late Heavy Large central heads to 14"
Packman, J, St Early to Midseason Heavy Medium central heads
Green Comet, T&M, L, D Early Fair Large central heads
Cruiser, J. St Midseason to late Heavy Medium central heads
Waltham 29, SB, Se, D 2nd early Heavy Medium central heads, many laterals
Emperor, J, St Midseason to late Heavy Medium central heads
Green Duke, NK, VB, Tw 2nd early Moderate Medium central heads, many laterals

Brussels Sprouts

Jade Cross, J, St, NK Early Heavy Uniform size sprouts, good quality
Prince Marvel, P, St, VB Early Heavy Uniform size sprouts, excellent quality

Cabbage

Early Jersey Earliest Good High quality, pointed head, heads burst
Wakefield, L, Bu, SB early
Castello, St Late Very heavy Round heads
Early Marvel, St Early Good Good quality, round head; all heads mature over a short period
Emerald Acre, St Early Good Nice shaped heads
Hybrid Golden Acre, L, F, D Early Good Fair quality, round head, long core
Darkri hybrid, P Early Good Small frame plant
Stonehead, L, Bu, V, St Midseason Heavy Firm, uniform head, long core
Fieldsport, Se Midseason to late Good Dark green heads, oval, very firm
Survivor, St Late Heavy Storage type 3
O-S Cross, D Late Very heavy Has potential for very large size.
Early Red Meteor Tr, St, D Midseason Heavy Stores well until early spring, high quality
Multikeeper, St Late Heavy Storage type
Chinese Hybrid, St Early Good Harvest early to avoid seed stalk emergence

Carrot

Nantes Coreless, F Early Fair Medium cylindrical, sweet, tender, stores well
Kazan, Se Midseason Heavy Large diameter, commercial type
Gold King, PS, NK, D Midseason Heavy Long, cylindrical, tapered point
Spartan Bonus, F, T&T, A Late Very good Long tapered commercial type, high quality
Klondike Nantes, St Late Good Consistent quality
Gold Pak, Bu,St,F, D Midseason to late Heavy Long tapered commercial type, high quality. Needs deep soil
Nantes Scarlet, PS Midseason to late Good Consistantly large
Royal Chantenay, St, WD, Tr, D Late Very good Large diameter, large core, fair quality

Cauliflower

Super Snowball, F Very early Very good Light heads, do not get ricy or purple
Early Snowball, PS Early Very good Medium heavy heads, fair leaf cover
Snow Crown, St, NK, J Early Good Dependable early variety
Andes, St, J, V Mdseason Heavy Self-wrapped type

Celery

Utah 52-70, V, Tr, L, Bu, D Midseason Good Long stalks, dark green

Chives Nearly all kinds do well Early Good Perennial, onion like flavor

Cucumber*

Victor, St Early Heavy Sets 1st 4 or 5 fruits without pollination, no male flowers produced (slicing)
Slice King, St Early Good Gyneocious, hybrid slicer
Early Pride, Bu Midseason Good High quality (slicing)
Gemini 7, V, PS, D Midseason Very heavy Sets 1st 4 or 5 fruits without pollination, no male flowers produced (slicing)
Liberty, Bu, L, PS Early Good Black spine, uniform, fairly blocky (pickler)
Saladin, Bu, F, P Midseason Heavy White spine, uniform (pickler)

Kale Green Curled Scotch,
St Early Good Medium size plants * See note on page 7.

Kohlrabi

Early Purple Vienna, L Bu, St Early Good Substitute for turnip where turnip root maggot control is impossible
Early White Vienna, L Bu, St Early good Both keep well into late winter in common storage

Greens

Fordhook Giant Chard SB, J, D Late Heavy Vigorous, large leaf and petiole
Green Wave Mustard, St, D Very early Good Distinct mustard flavor
Seven Top Turnip, S&G Early Good Use turnip and tops when root is one inch diameter

Vates Collards, St, Bu, D Late Heavy Mild mustard flavor

Lettuce

Head Lettuce
Salinas, J, Tr, PS Midseason Good Tipburn resistant, firm head
Ithaca, St, Se, PS Midseason Heavy Less likely to tipburn than others
Great Lakes 659, L, Se, PS Late Heavy Tolerates more cold than others

Butterhead
Buttercrunch, L, Bu, Tr, D 2nd early Good Excellent quality, withstands some frost, long season of use

Looseleaf
Salad Bowl, Tr, J, PS, D Early Good Does not go to seed as early as others
Grand Rapids, St, F, L, D Early Heavy Best adapted to low light intensities

Onion

Bunching
Evergreen Bunching Bu, SB, D Early Good Bulb area enlarges more than others

Sets
Ebenezer, P Early Good Yellowish flesh, very mild, stores well
White Portugal, St Earliest Good White flesh, mild

Parsley

Curlina, St Midseason Good Suitable for garden or indoor culture

Parsnip

Hollow Crown, F, St, Bu, D Late Good May be left in garden if winter is mild

Green Pea Spring,

St Earliest Good 10 day picking period-trellising unnecessary
Sparkle, Tr, J, F Early Heavy 8 day picking-trellising unnecessary
Dwarf Gray Sugar F, SB, D Early Good Flat edible pod pea-trellising unnecessary
Alaska, L, Bu, SB, J Early & Continuous Good Small pod, small pea, light color
Freezonian, F, Bu, Br, D Early & Continuous Heavy Continuous but only a few at a time - must trellis
Sugar Ann, D, L, Br Early Good Plump edible pod, trellising unnecessary
Patriot, P, St Early to midseason Heavy Trellising desirable
Progress No. 9, Bu, Se Midseason Heavy Trellising desirable
Green Arrow, St, J, F, L Midseason Heavy Continuous-trellising unnecessary
Sugar Snap, St, P, Tw, D Late Fair Plump edible pod pea-trellising desirable
1Originated at the Agriculture Research Center, Palmer, Alaska * See notes on page 7.

Potato

Alaska Red1(red skin) Early Heavy Uniform shape for market gardening
Allagash Russet Midseason to late Heavy Round tuber, medium to heavy russeting
Kennebec Early Very Space seed 7 to 9 inches - tubers green Heavy quickly when exposed to light
Alasclear1 Early Good Very resistant to common scab disease
Superior Early Good Processing quality, heavy yield when irrigated
Shepody Midseason to late Heavy Long white, high dry matter, large size
Alaska Frostless1 Midseason to late Good Grows after others are killed by frost, no need for hilling
Denali1 Midseason to late Good Baking and chipping quality
Snowchip1 Midseason to late Heavy Baking and chipping quality
Alaska 1141 Midseason to late Good Tough white skin
IditaRed Midseason Very heavy Tough red skin
Green Mountain Midseason to late Very heavy Widely adapted, tender skin, boiler
Bake King Midseason to late Heavy Uniform tuber shape, good baker
Highlat Russet Midseason to late Good Good texture and flavor baked
Yukon Gold Midseason to late Good Good quality
Butte Midseason to late Good Long tuber shape
Lemhi Russet Midseason to late Good Long tuber shape, baker

Pumpkin*

Spirit, St, Ps Late Good May mature if transplanted through polyethylene film
Autumn Gold, J, L, A&C Late Good Turns from yellow to deep orange

Radish

Cherry Belle, St, F, L, D Early Good Small top, round root, crisp
Burpee White, Bu Early Good Tender, mild and crisp
Chinese White , Bu, St Midseason Heavy Long large diameter, for winter storage
Champion, L, SB, F, D 2nd Early Heavy Uniform roots, good quality

Rhubarb

MacDonald Early Heavy Cooks red, high quality

Spinach

Melody, T&M, St, D Very early Good Excellent quality, resists early bolting

Squash

Gold Rush, St, P, Tw Early Good Slender, gold colored

summer*
Elite, H, J Early Heavy Dark green zucchini
Seneca Prolific, P, Tw, Bu Early Good Yellow straight neck
Black Jack, St, PS, D 2nd Early Good Produces over a long period
Greyzini, St, PS 2nd Early good Light green, slender
Aristocrat, T&M Early Good Excellent quality

Squash Grow under clear polyethylene to lengthen growing season

winter*
Gold Nugget, J, SB Late Fair Small fruit
Sweet Mama, St, P, Tw Late Fair Buttercup type, compact vines
Golden Hubbard, S t, Se, Tw Late Good Long fruit
Improved Hubbard, Late Good Thick flesh, dark green
St, NK, WD
Spaghetti squash, J, Tr, Tw Midseason Heavy Novelty squash
Sweetmeat, T r, H, Ar Late Good Short blue hubbard type

Sweet Corn* Growing season must be lengthened by growing with clear polyethylene

Polar Vee, St, V, T&M, D Very early Very good Short cob, short plant
Earliking, T&M Early Good Long cob, good quality
Earlivee, St, V, J Early Good Excellent quality

Tomato*

SubArctic 25, D Early Fair Good ripe fruits
Early Tanana, D Early Poor Several fruits mature per plant

Turnip

Tokyo Cross, St, F, Bu Very early Fair May bolt to seed
Purple Top Globe, St, J, F, Bu, D White Midseason Heavy Mild flavor

Greenhouse Vegetables

Variety - Maturity - Yield Comments

Cucumber

Uniflora D, T&M Early Good Attractive, Long, European type
Gemini 7, V, D Very early Heavy Standard type, sets 5 fruit without pollination
Sandra, St Early Heavy European type, excellent quality
Superator, St Early Heavy European type, excellent quality

Sweet Corn

Polar Vee, St, V, T&M Earliest Good Small ears, good quality, plants 6' tall
Earliking, T&M 2nd Early Good Medium ears, very good quality
Super Sweet, St 3rd Early Heavy Very long ears, superb quality, plants 8' tall
Earlivee, St, V, J 2nd Early Good High quality, medium ears

Tomato

Tropic, PS Early Heavy Desirable for hydroponics
Vendor, St, J, V Early Heavy Short vine for low ceiling houses
Early Girl, L, Bu Very Early Heavy Good resistance to grey mold
Ultra Girl, St Early Heavy Attractive fruit
* See notes on page 7.

7

Small Fruits

Variety & Source Maturity Yield Comments

Strawberry

Matared1 Very early Heavy Deep red fruits, excellent quality, winter hardy if mulched
Susitna1 Midseason Heavy Medium red, holds shape when frozen, winter hardy if mulched
Pioneer Earliest Low Low quality, prolific plant maker, frequently survives without mulch
Skwentna1Midseason Good Medium red, distinctive flavor, excellent frozen

Raspberry

Latham, Bu, F, Ah Early Good Excellent quality and flavor
Festival, N Midseason to late Good Large fruits
Boyne, Ah, F Early Good Excellent quality and flavor
Reveille, N, Ma, W, Bs Midseason to late Good Excellent quality and flavor
Indian Summer, Bu Midseason Good Excellent quality, very mild
Kiska, Di, Lo Early to Mid Good Very hardy, small fruit
Titan, Bu, Ah Midseason Heavy Large fruits, mild flavor, winter hardy to -15oF
Golden Amber, Bs Midseason Good Yellow fruit

Gooseberry

Pixwell, Br, Ah Late Fair More winter hardy than Champion

Currant

Red Lake, P, F, Ah Late Heavy Very large fruits and seeds
Holland Longbunch, Di, Lo Midseason Good Large fruit, reliably hardy
Stevens #9 Late Heavy Large fruits, medium size seeds
Boskoop Giant, Wh, E Mid to Late Heavy Large fruit, excellent quality
Swedish Black Late Heavy Large fruits, excellent quality

Tree Fruits

Variety - Maturity - Yield Comments

Apple

Chinese Golden Early Very early Fair Sweet, pleasant, ripens in late August
Rescue Early Heavy Crips, juicy, sprightly, red, early September
Yellow Transparent Midfall Good High quality, for eating and culinary uses
Summerred Midfall Good Crisp, juicy, sprightly, red, late September

Crabapple

Quality Late Good Small, yellow astringent, good preserving
Jacques Late Fair Firm, yellowish-red, remove calyx and bake whole
1Originated at the Agriculture Research Center, Palmer, Alaska

• Crops for Production through Polyfilm:

Note: The inclusion or exclusion of names on this seed source list does not constitute endorsement nor lack thereof by ACE.

SEED SOURCES

A Asgrow Seed Company, 7000 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49001
A&C Abbot and Cobb, Inc., P.O. Box 307, Feasterville, PA 19124
Ag Agway, Inc. Seed Plant, 1225 Zeager Rd., Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Ah Ahrens Nursery and Plant Labs, RR1, Huntington, IN 47540
Al Alberta Nurseries & Seeds Ltd., Box 20, Bowden, Alberta T0M 0K0, Canada
Ar Arco Seed Company, Box 181, El Centro, CA 92244-0181
B Ball Seed Company, P.O. Box 335, West Chicago, IL 60185
Br Burgess Seed and Plant Co., Bloominton, IL 61701
Bs Bush Landscaping & Nursery Co., 2848 Lore Rd., Anchorage, AK 99507
Bu W. Atlee Burpee & Co., 300 Park Ave., Warminster, PA 18991
D Denali Seed Co. P.O. Box 11425, Anchorage, AK 99511-1425
Di Dinkel's Fairview Nursery, HC31 Box 5193, Wasilla, AK 99687
Dv D.V. Burrell Seed Growers Co., P.O. Box 150, Rocky Ford, CO 81067
E Edible Landscaping, Rt. 2, Box 77, Afton, VA 22920
F Farmer Seed & Nursery Co., Faribault, MN 55021
FM Ferry-Morse Seed Co, P.O. Box 4938, Modesto CA 95352
G H. G. German Seeds, Inc., Box 398, Smethport, PA 16749
Gu Gurney Seed & Nursery Co., Yankton, SD 57079
H Harris Moran Seed Co., 3670 Buffalo Rd., Rochester, NY 13624
J Johnny's Selected Seeds, Foss Hill Rd., Albion, ME 04910
L Liberty Seed Co., P.O. Box 806, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Lo Local Nurseries — check with Alaska Cooperative Extension or Plant Material Center
M Mountain Seed & Nursery, Box 271, Rt. 1, Moscow, ID 83843
Ma May Earl, Seed & Nursery L.P., Shenandoah, IA 51603
N Northstar Gardens, 19060 Manning Trail N., Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047
NK Northrup King Co, Horticultural Division, P.O. Box 949, Minneapolis, MN 55440
P Park Seed Co., Greenwood, SC 29645-0001
PS PetoSeed Co., Inc., P.O. Box 4206, Saticay, CA 93004
RS Royal Sluis, Inc., 1293 Harking Rd., Salinas, CA 93907
SB Seed Blüm, Idaho City Stage, Boise Idaho 83706
Se Seedway, Inc., Hall, NY 14463-0250
S&G Sluis & Groot of America, 124A Griffin St., Salinas, CA 93907
St Stokes Seeds inc., P.O. Box 548, Buffalo, NY 14240-0548
T&M Thompson & Morgan, P.O. Box 1308, Jackson, NJ 08527
Tr Territorial Seed Co., P.O. Box 27, Lorane, OR 97451
T&T T&T Seeds, Ltd., Box 17100, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3P6, Canada
Tw Otis S. Twilley Seed Co., Inc., P.O. Box 65, Trevose, PA 19047
V Vesey's Seeds, Ltd., York, Prince Edward Is. C0A 1P0, Canada
VB Vermont Bean Seed Co., Garden Lane, Fair Haven, VT 05743
W White Flower Farm, Litchfield, CT 06759
WD William DamSeeds, P.O. West Flamboro, Ontario L0R 2K0, Canada
Wh Whitman Farms, 1420 Beaumont N.W., Salem, OR 97403