Welcome to the Alaskan Seed Boutique where we offer beautiful varieties for the home horticulturist and market grower.
We are sharing our top secrets to success for stunning flowers, Alaska hardy herbs and nutritious vegetables.
You will find tips throughout the boutique on gourmet meal preparation, Permaculture growing and food preservation.
Just like your Grandmothers earrings or your Uncle’s rifle, heirloom seeds are genetic antiques that are passed down through generations.
Heirlooms have passed the trials, monitoring and preservation tests of our foremothers and forefathers. The skills and knowledge that we once revered- (to grow our own food and to share that knowledge with our children) are encapsulated in heirloom seeds.
Regionally/locally adaptive seed is seed that withstands the local environment (temperature, seasonality, photoperiod, seasonality, wind and precipitation). We can enhance our seed banks to choose heirlooms that can withstand the Alaskan growing space.
Highly diverse home growing spaces that are in balance with the local ecosystem are more resilient and less likely to succumb to pest and disease. Heirlooms add resilience and diversity. They also add beauty and nutrition.
We would love to talk seed with you!
Please join us for our intensive growing series in May! We will answer your questions!
Based on Permaculture and regenerative gardening theory, we will explore and learn the following skills/topics:
In Depth Permaculture Growing
Permaculture includes growing practices such as organic and regenerative agriculture. Permaculture is design system that works with your home landscape to increase yields and reduce redundancies.
Preparing the growing space for planting:
From bed aeration techniques to the timely application of amendements and everything in between! Preparing the growing space for the season will set you off for success.
Garden Methods
There are several schools of thought when it comes to the method of crop production for the backyard garden. Join us as we examine each method and help you to determine which work will best for you and your family.
Composting Methods
Compost is a wonderful addition to any home garden. Learn how to properly create compost that is safe and beneficial. There are a variety of composting methods- let’s learn the one that works for you!
Greenhouse/High Tunnel Growing
There is an art to the indoor growing space. Come learn the craft that not only extends the season, saves on the home budget and is extremely satisfying. Let us simplify the growing process for you.
Soil Amendments
How to balance your soil so that you can reap the rewards of the spring sow. We grow by the mantra “Feed your soil- not your plants”. Learn all the regenerative practices for caring for your soil.
Pests
Addressing pests can seem like a daunting task for the backyard grower. Let us simplify the process and provide you with the knowledge you need to defend your food crops. We will learn how to invite the assassin bug team to your garden to help defend your plants from infestation. We will also learn the flowers that should be included in every growing space.
How to determine Plant deficiencies
What is wrong with my plant? Plants speak a language that we cannot hear…plants show us any deficiencies in their appearance. Learn how to decipher common crop issues and how to correct them.
And so much more!
We will meet from 10 AM- 2 PM: May 20th-May 22nd.
The location of the course is a private residence in Palmer. Please note that we will provide this information upon registration.
Intensive Garden Series
Thank you for joining us! We will provide a lovely lunch and refreshments. We are limiting this series to 10 participants only.
$250.00
For some reason kombucha just makes me happy. When I enjoy this lovely fermented treat, I have more energy and an even bigger smile.
We are relatively new to home-brewed kombucha. Our first batch was a blueberry, ginger and lemon (the best I have ever had), our second batch included strawberry, mango and ginger (oh my) and now our third batch is similar to Golden Milk (click here for a recipe).
The benefits of turmeric are vast, but we are using this magical spice to assist with inflammation and adding just a bit more of happiness everyday.
Here is how we made our Golden Kombucha: This is a two-week process! You will need a scoby (culture), loose leaf tea, sugar, thermometer and pH strips for the first fermentation.
Above: Our komucha culture on its fourth fermentation. You can share cultures with friends or trade. Anchorage and soon Palmer will both have Kombucha brewer’s we are unsure if they will sell their culture. You can purchase cultures online here . We received a kombucha making kit in 2016.
Bring 4 cups of water to a roaring boil and then turn the range off
Fill a muslin bag with 3 ounces of loose leaf tea (article for the best tea for kombucha)
Place the muslin tea bag in the water and allow the tea to steep for 5-7 minutes
Remove the tea bag and pour 1 cup of sugar into the tea (sugars feed the culture but here are some options)
Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and then pour the tea into a large glass jar (we use a 1 gallon jar)
Add 8 cups of cold water and use the thermometer to ensure the mixture is between 68-86F before adding your culture
Place your culture gently into the jar and then test the pH to ensure 4.5 or below
If the pH is not 4.5 or lower, 1 teaspoon of white vinegar can be added
Cover your jar with cheese cloth and a rubber band. Place the jar in a warm location but out of direct sunlight. Do not disturb the brew and allow it to rest for 7-9 days
It is now time to taste your first fermentation test each day until it has reached your desired flavor (if it is too sweet….continue the brew for a couple of more days)
Test the pH again: it should now read 2.5-3.5
At this point, you can consider this a finished kombucha or you can move forward with a second ferment by adding herbs, fruits and flavors
For our Golden Kombucha we used 8 pint size mason jars (there are several bottles that are specially made for kombucha, but we have SO MANY mason jars)
We added 1 tablespoon or turmeric to each jar
1 slice of lemon (squeeze the lemon into the jar first) lemon juice concentrate can be substituted (1 tablespoon)
1 tablespoon of fresh macerated ginger in each jar
1 teaspoon of cinnamon to each jar
We then remove the culture from the jar and set aside. Pour about 1-2 cups of the brew into your culture bowl (the culture always needs to remain moist)
Using a kitchen funnel, pour the kombucha tea into each jar leaving 1″ head space at the top
Set the jars aside in a warm place for 4-6 days
Taste test and if it is to your liking, refrigerate; if you would like increased carbonation-add a teaspoon of sugar and allow to ferment for 2-4 additional days
You can brew again immediately following the above steps or you can allow the culture to sit for about 4 weeks. Beyond the 4 weeks the culture will need to eat (add some sugar).
Enjoy! Welcome to the world of home-brew Kombucha brewing!
Register Below!
Permaculture Design/Site Analysis/Microclimate: $30.00
March 21, 2019
We will learn how to locate the perfect placement for a new garden or enhance the design of an existing one. Learn the skills you need to create your own Permaculture Garden designs.
By applying the fundamental Permaculture design process, we will locate the existing microclimates on your property. Defining microclimates increases the diversity of food crops we can grow in the Arctic.
Soil: Regenerative Theory $30.00
April 4, 2019
Healthy soil is the foundation for healthy food crops. Come and learn as we venture “below” and learn how to care for the delicate yet persistent soil food web. We will learn cost effective ways to determine our soil type, pH, texture, soil tilth and how to care for your soil regeneratively.
Classes will be held indoors at the Wasilla Museum and Visitor Center from 6:30pm-8:30pm!
The Wasilla Museum is located at: 323 N, Main St!
