March is perhaps the best month in Palmer Alaska. It is pre-bug and full light. The worst of winter is behind us. The glory of summer is in front of us. The ground is still frozen so we don’t have to do yard work—yet. If you like to slide or snowshoe, this is the time. If you like to plant seeds, this is also the time.
Let’s Go Seeds!—We have some major Palmer gardeners and farmers leading the way here. Let’s hear what they have to say about seed time in 2nd week of March:
Joanie Kirk ND “I Will start some herbs and flowers, tomatoes and tomatillos between now and the 7th of March according to Biodynamic planting calendar.”
Denise Smith Statz says “My onions are planted. I have tomato seeds and peppers ready to go on Sunday. My achimenes come out of the dark this weekend too. Planning on using some of the rhizomes.”
Myrna Ukelele shares, “I started peppers today. Onions, leeks, oregano, thyme, celery, and parsley are all up. Transplanted delphiniums today. Tomatoes will get planted this weekend.”
Palmer Master Gardener and totally famous flower guy Jaime Rodriguez explains, “I sowed three flats of perennials two weeks ago, and have good germination on a few things already, including Incarvillea zhongdianensis, Lychnis coronaria, Codonopsis convolvulacea, Lilium pumilum, Delosperma ashtonii, and Arisaema sikkokianum. I will be sowing a hundred more perennials this weekend I hope. Probably a few annuals, too. The Dahlia tubers and tuberous begonias should be coming out of storage and getting potted up as well.”
Deb Blaylock says that Alliums and celeries are all going strong. Rhodochiton has all popped and too many herbs to type! Potting up begins tomorrow!
Organic Farmer, Michelle Church of Moonstone Farms has started her peppers and is awaiting a great shipment of seeds from her favorite supplier.
Peony Farmer Misty VanderWeele is always trying out new varieties and has already started a couple hundred dahlias, just some of her 3350 seed picks for this year.
An unnamed humble, flower person is starting pansies, lavender, begonias and that gorgeous blue purple lobelia.
Important Seed Notes—It is important to remember that NONE OF THESE seeds are planted outside. All of these are started inside, in a greenhouse or in a window. I know I didn’t need to add this caveat, but just in case someone wanted to start trudging in their garden, I thought I would mention this. We still have nearly three months before we plant outside—in the ground, unless you have greenhouse or hoop house. And your poor little seeds need some extra light.
MORE PALMER SEEDS FROM THE MAYOR—Mayor Edna Bell Armstrong DeVries wants to plant Palmer seeds of love, joy, peace and understanding in our community. And she is doing a good job. Let’s all help her.
Big Palmer Knitter Award—Many were honored for service at the great Alaska Family Services dinner, but June Oberg is a stand-out. June knits. She knits a lot. She has made hundreds, if not thousands of mittens. And she gives them away to people and children with cold hands. She actually pulls old sweaters apart and reuses the yarn in her act of knitting love. And it is no surprise, that her granddaughter started the Magic Yarn Project, a nonprofit business making special and sensitive yarn wigs for little children cancer fighters. There is a lot of love in that family and honor is totally deserved.
Palmer Sound Bath—It happened for the first time in Palmer on Saturday Night. Pam Doerr Fitness and Wellness brought talented Vibrational Sounds artist Gail Jackson to Palmer. Ms. Jackson shared her gift with about 50 people as they listened to her healing skill with gongs, bowls, crystals and bells. It is very hard to describe what happened but it was an experience not to miss.
March Community Art Show—Lots of new art and photography is recently hung at the Palmer Downtown Deli. The theme is MARCH and it means anything from beginning flowers to migratory birds to marching bears. All the contributors are local and they include their interpretations on their submittal. It’s interesting reading and looking. Go See it.
Equinox Women’s Film Festival—This is Saturday at the College, Glenn Massay Theater. There will be vendors and local craftswomen, food trucks and some locally crafted brew!
Other Cool Stuff in Palmer, Alaska—this week—German Carnival and Circus at Birchtree Charter School on Wednesday; Weekend Indoor Garage Sale at the American Legion Post; Tilgner’s Specialized Smoked Seafood tasting at Cobb Street Market on Saturday; Codicia Premiere Alaskan Film by Ethan Feaster at Glenn Massay Theater on Thursday; Friday is Winter Speaker Series about Cuba at 630 at Valley Recycling Center; and the Palmer Food Swap on Saturday Morning, 10am at the Annex.
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