It's been an extraordinary summer for Alaska gardeners. Is this the new normal?

Frankly, I don't know what to think of this summer. Of course, it was a terrific one, probably the best we've ever had weather-wise in the 40-plus-year life of this column. Still, questions persist: Was the wonderful warmth because of El Nino? Was this one in a string of ever warmer ones in Alaska? Or was it just another of those extreme weather events we have all been told to expect? Are we going to have another growing season like this next year or will things return to normal? What is normal anymore?

Who knows the answers, but these are things to think about. One reason is because we yarden in Alaska based upon some very formulaic seasonal rules, using squirrels' ears and such. That is OK in the spring, but clearly still using Sept. 15 as the average date of first frost doesn't work. And, I am sure you have noticed, the fireweed didn't predict the onslaught of winter this year. 

Simply put, if we are going to continue to experience "terrific" summers like the one we just had, then it just might finally be time to change some of our formulas or ditch them altogether.

One change I think we need to get going is the planting of second-harvest crops. I have often mentioned the idea of starting additional broccoli and other cole crops in July. These seeds can be started outdoors and will produce when the first-harvest crops are spent. I am not sure anyone really wants additional broccoli, cabbage, kale and even zucchini or tomatoes and peppers, but local nurseries might consider testing the idea with some new seedlings in July.

Next, we have been flirting with Eliot Coleman-type season extenders for a while — things like cold frames, walls of water, Reemay cloth and plastic sheeting. If our season is going to stay "longer," then investments in these things start to make more sense. Unfortunately, due to our rapid loss of daylight in the fall, there's only so much you can do.

Ah, but there is a remedy for fall day length. The traditional Alaska backyard tomato greenhouse already should have a fan system to handle the heat. That means there is electricity and you can consider adding some lights to your greenhouse so you can continue to take advantage of the warmer weather despite the loss of five minutes of daylight a day. 

There are all manner of lights to try and you surely don't have to illuminate the entire greenhouse area. Don't forget, those lights can even be portable so that you can use them indoors during the winter and spring months, or even indoors in the fall if things don't continue to warm up.

It's not all on you either. The seed-starting calendar in this column has already been altered over the years to adjust for a changing growing season. It is surely due for another update, though. And more and more yardeners hereabouts are having success with spring flowering bulbs, like crocuses, that didn't reliably survive in the early years of this column. 

And that doesn't even get into some of the plants we may now be able to grow that we wouldn't have been able to in the past. I have been saving this subject for a winter debate, because it may not be a direction Alaska yardeners should take, but warmer and longer growing seasons mean we can increase the number of non-natives that we are planting. Hydrangeas, for example, could become a standard landscape plant, and yacon an Alaska staple.

Still, winter will definitely come at some point.

In the meantime, while you mulch up those falling leaves and clean up the yard and gardens, give some consideration to changing the formulas we grow by. I know I will.

Jeff’s Alaska Garden Calendar

Leaves: They are yellowing and starting to fall. Keep up with them by mulching them up with your mower. Do not bag them, unless you need a few bags for mulch or next summer's compost piles. Otherwise, leave them on the lawn. They are terrific microbe food.

Hoses: Drain all but one. Put them away. If you have time, fix any leaks now. Stay dry next summer. Figure out how and where to turn off outdoor faucets. Consider one of those Styrofoam covers as added protection.