Alaska Garden Clubs

Ice Sculptures

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.          Central Lutheran Church

Presented by:   Martha Jokela

The excitement of Christmas and the glitz of New Year are over, but Martha has something for you to get enthused about in January.  Transform your front yard or porch into a winter wonderland!  Learn how to create colored ice sculptures and design your own unique winterscape to liven up the winter months.

Laugh Session

 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.          Central Lutheran Church

 Presented by:  Leslie Shallcross

On this Valentine's Day, Leslie will have you bright eyed and cheery in no time.  You are guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face.  Come dressed in Valentine colors.  The luncheon following will be themed for Valentine's Day.

Soil Preparation For Your Upcoming Vegetable Garden

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Dimond Greenhouses

1050 W. Dimond Blvd.

Anchorage, Alaska

Presented by:  Daryl Leiser

 Note:  This is a members-only activity.  For membership information, click here.

 Daryl will explain the soil preparation recommended for specific garden veggies.  Additional topics will include seed germination, hardening off of seedlings, and outdoor planting -- a complete process that provides plants with a head start given our short growing season.

 Lunch to follow at a favorite restaurant.

Children's Marigold Giveaway

 10:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.

The Mall at Sears

600 East Northern Lights

Anchorage, Alaska

 Children are invited to transplant a marigold seedling at the Annual Sears Mall Spring Garden Show.  Club members provide the seedlings and expertise to assist youngsters in this hands-on gardening experience.

Hypertufa Troughs or Bowls

 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.          Location TBA

Presented by:  Verna Pratt

 Note:  This is a members-only activity.  For membership information, click here.

 $20.00 per trough or bowl for supplies

 Participants should bring a sturdy cardboard box or other container to serve as a form to create and shape the planter.  The form should be a minimum of 12"x16"x10" high and a maximum of 15"x20"x10" high.  A round form should be at least 10" deep to ensure winter survival of the plants.  Bring a large plastic bag to cover the finished trough so it doesn't dry too quickly.  All other supplies will be provided.  Wear old clothes, sturdy rubber gloves, and consider knee pads for kneeling on the paved driveway work surface.

Bring a sack lunch.

Alaska Botanical Garden

Wildflower Trail Maintenance

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Alaska Botanical Gardens

4601 Campbell Airstrip Road

Anchorage, Alaska

Chaired by:  Verna Pratt, Kathy Zins & Janet Brower

 Our Club works hard to keep our Wildflower Trail weed-free and attractive for the Anchorage community and summer visitors.  We will spend two hours visiting and weeding, then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

  Bring your favorite gardening tools as well as gloves and insect repellent.

Making a Wild Edible Salad

 10:00 a.m.

Field Trip to Arctic Valley

Field Guide:  Verna Pratt

 Note:  This is a members-only activity.  For membership information, click here.

 Join local author and field guide Verna Pratt for a field trip and potluck picnic luncheon.  Identify and collect edible flowers and plants to assemble into a salad of wild greens.  Add to the bounty by bringing other salads, breads, hors d'oeuvres, meats, desserts or a beverage.  Program hosts will provide plates, cups, napkins, tablecloth and tableware.

Alaska Botanical Garden Fair

 Alaska Botanical Garden

4601 Campbell Airstrip Road

The ABG Fair is a wonderful opportunity to introduce the Wildflower Garden Club to members of the community.  From our table we distribute our informational brochure, answer questions about club activities and chat with fair visitors about their gardens and the unique challenges of growing plants here in Alaska.

Summer Garden Tours

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

 Note:  This is a members-only activity.  For membership information, click here.

 In keeping with our motto: Show, Share and Tell, each year we visit the gardens of several club members.  This is a wonderful opportunity to see a variety of plants and designs, to exchange ideas and to share techniques.  The tour concludes with a picnic potluck.

Dividing Perennials Workshop

 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Alaska Botanical Garden

Instructor:  Lacey Ott

Note:  This is a members-only activity.  For membership information, click here.

 ABG Horticulturist Lacy Ott will provide instruction on the proper technique for dividing perennials.  Participants are invited to bring a plant to be divided as part of the demonstration.  To prepare the plant, carefully dig it up and, with a hose, wash all soil from the roots.  Wrap the plant in damp newspaper and place it in a plastic bag for transport.  Participants are limited to one plant each. 

 Lunch to follow at a nearby restaurant.

Alaska State Fair

Volunteer Opportunity

Offer a helping hand at the Alaska State Fair.  Call Kathy Liska, ASF Crops, Fruits and Vegetables Superintendent and Wildflower Garden Club member, to help register crop entries at the fair. She has both day and evening shifts available.  Contact Kathy at 337-2196 or by email.

 Junior Giant Zucchini Contest

Each year, as part of our mission to promote the study of horticulture, the Club sponsors a Zucchini-growing contest for children ages 6-12 and 13-17.  Prizes are awarded to those entries with the heaviest weights. 

Putting Your Garden to Bed for the Winter

 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.          Central Lutheran Church

 Instructors: Alaska Botanical Garden Staff

 ABG staff members offer guidance on preparing the garden for the long winter months. Topics include the effects of snow cover and the types of mulch that can be used to improve the survival rate of garden plants.

It's All About the Soil

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.          Central Lutheran Church

 Presented by:  Julie Riley and Jane Baldwin

 Julie and Jane will discuss what it takes to ensure a healthy, productive soil, with a focus on practicality, ease and low-cost.

First Impressions:  Front Yard Gardens

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.          Central Lutheran Church

 Presented by:  Annie Nevaldine

 Join Annie for another pictorial tour - this time focusing on attractive front entrances and yards.

 Following the program is the annual Alaskan Thanksgiving Potluck Luncheon. Bring an Alaskan dish -- fish, wild game, berries or homegrown vegetables to share.

 Also, please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Food Bank of Alaska

Fresh Holiday Wreaths

 10:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.

Dimond Greenhouses

1050 W. Dimond Blvd.

Instructor:  Daryl Leiser

 Note:  This is a members-only activity.  For membership information, click here.

 Daryl will once again instruct us in the art of wreath making.  The cost of the workshop is $25.00 per person. Basic materials will be supplied, but bring decorative items to personalize your wreath. We'll take a count of people participating at our November potluck.  It's really a hands-on project - expect your hands to be sticky with sap!

 Lunch to follow at a favorite restaurant.

Annual Christmas Luncheon

 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.          Location TBA

  It's time to put aside the bustle of the holidays and join your garden friends for some food and fun. And what would a Wildflower Christmas party be without a lively Chinese Auction Gift Exchange? If you'd like to participate, bring a wrapped garden gift, valued at $15.00 to exchange.

 Parties are also about good food, so please bring a dish of your choice: salad, appetizer, main dish, vegetable or dessert.