Hello from Alaska

CrealCritter

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 16, 2017
Messages
10,607
Reaction score
19,710
Points
377
Location
Zone 6B or 7 can't decide
Hello, my name is Aly and I am from Alaska (born and raised). My husband and I bought our home on a 1 acre plot in a very small town a little over a year ago. We moved to our home starting with our 2 year old son and 8 year old mutt.
In the year we have lived here we have had another child, purchased a Bouvier de flandres, bought 3 goats(delivered my first goat kid this week), put in a rough garden, added a couple rabbits(breeders for meat), chickens(10 hens 1 rooster, and some chicks I hatched out in April). It has been an extremely busy first year for us here.
I look forward to growing a life of self sustainability, and having the opportunity to learn from this forum. It is nice to meet everyone :)

Wow, form Alaska, how awesome is that? Welcome to SS.
 

wyoDreamer

Super Self-Sufficient
Joined
Sep 29, 2014
Messages
1,798
Reaction score
2,443
Points
267
3b is what I grew up with in Norther Wisconsin. We are supposed to be 4b where I live now - 30 miles south of where I grew up - but, I am now south of the 45th lateral. So, 1/2 half way between the equator and the north pole, lol.
 

Britesea

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 22, 2011
Messages
5,676
Reaction score
5,732
Points
373
Location
Klamath County, OR
Our growing zone depends on what you are using for your data... if you go with average minimum winter temps, we are 6b; but if you go with average winter frost dates, then we are zone 3. Isn't that special?
 

Mini Horses

Sustainability Master
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Messages
7,044
Reaction score
14,364
Points
352
Location
coastal VA
Welcome from VA. Alaska is cold!! Brrrr….I would consider most things to be a challenge there as I couldn't handle the extremes. Beautiful country but, for me, only a visit.

Realizing there are areas warmer than others, what type of situation do you have to handle with keeping animals comfy? I'm WAY south of you and the few really cold weeks we get is more than I like -- that would be almost Spring weather for you :D At least you grew up with it & it's "just life".
 

Lazy Gardener

Super Self-Sufficient
Joined
May 14, 2017
Messages
4,626
Reaction score
5,876
Points
292
Location
Central Maine, Zone 4B
We are close to the 45th. I call myself zone 4B, based on our average high/low temps and last/first frost dates. While you may live in a certain growing zone, there can be wild variation in terms of daily temps, and frost dates based on the micro-climate of your yard. AND, there is much that can be done to modify your micro-climate to enhance your gardening season!
 

baymule

Sustainability Master
Joined
Nov 13, 2010
Messages
10,683
Reaction score
18,513
Points
413
Location
East Texas
Welcome from northeast Texas! We have hair Sheep, chickens, horses and the occasional feeder pigs. Would love to hear more about your farm!
 

Britesea

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 22, 2011
Messages
5,676
Reaction score
5,732
Points
373
Location
Klamath County, OR
there is much that can be done to modify your micro-climate to enhance your gardening season!
For example, I am slowly building a wall of concrete blocks along the north side of the garden. On one side they hold compost piles, leaves and wood chips for adding to the soil. But they also create a wind barrier and heat sink for the garden- raising the temperature a few critical degrees and giving me a few extra frost-free days. My next step after finishing the wall will be to paint it black as well.
 

Latest posts

Top