Description

Alaska Seed Starting Class Seeds Included Winter Session

Weds, January 20, 2027 at 6:30 PM
The Valley Annex, 247 S Alaska St, Palmer, Alaska

Growing a garden in Alaska isn’t just about knowing how to start seeds. It’s about choosing the right varieties, starting them at the right time, and understanding what each plant needs to produce within our short and sometimes unpredictable growing season.

For nearly 10 years, we have been growing, testing, saving seed, and searching for varieties that perform well in Alaska. Every year we learn more, and every year our seed collection gets better.

This year’s Winter Seed Starting Class brings that experience together with an exciting new collection of varieties we have selected for Alaska gardens.

And all of your seeds are included with the class.

This is our more advanced seed starting class, but you do not need to be an experienced gardener to attend. New gardeners are absolutely welcome. We’ll cover the fundamentals of successful seed starting while going much deeper into Alaska-specific timing, germination, transplanting, garden planning, and the individual needs of the crops we’ll be growing.

What We’ll Learn

We’ll cover everything from garden design to seedling care and plant-specific growing techniques that actually work in Alaska’s unique climate. You’ll learn how to calculate planting dates for your location, determine when different crops should be started, and use sustainable and cost-effective seed-starting methods.

We’ll break down the entire process, including:

• Timing and Germination: Learn how to count backward from your last frost date and determine when each crop actually needs to be started.
• Germination Temperatures: Understand which crops need additional heat to germinate and when that heat needs to be removed.
• Light, Feeding and Watering: Learn how to produce sturdy, healthy seedlings rather than weak or leggy plants.
• Potting Up: Understand when seedlings need more room and how to transplant them without unnecessarily stressing the plant.
• Plant-Specific Growing Techniques: We’ll talk about the individual needs of the varieties included in the class and what we have learned from growing these crops in Alaska.
• Garden Design and Planting: Learn how to put everything together into a productive garden using practical permaculture principles.

What Seeds Are Included?

This year’s class includes an updated collection of vegetables and herbs selected with Alaska growers in mind.

You will receive seeds for:

Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Eggplant
Corn
Peppers
Pumpkins
Shallots
Artichokes
Rosemary
Asparagus
Lavender
Strawberries

Some of these crops are easy to grow in Alaska once you understand their timing. Others require a little more strategy. That is exactly why we are including them.

We have worked hard to find varieties that give Alaska gardeners a better chance of success rather than simply choosing varieties because they are popular elsewhere. We’ll talk about what makes these crops different, when they need to be started, and what they need from us to successfully make it through an Alaska growing season.

Celebrating 10 Years of Seeds & Soil

This year marks 10 years of Seeds & Soil, and I am incredibly grateful for the gardeners who have taken our classes, grown our seeds, followed along with our farm, and allowed this little Alaska seed company to grow.

To celebrate, every in-person class registration includes our Permaculture Design Class recording FREE.

If you don’t have a greenhouse, I especially encourage you to watch this course. Growing successfully in Alaska doesn’t have to depend on having a traditional greenhouse. Understanding microclimates, season extension, garden placement, heat capture, wind protection, and good garden design can completely change what you are able to grow.

The recording gives you another layer of information to help you take what we learn in class and apply it to your own property and growing conditions.

Before Class

There is a pre-class video included with your registration because there is simply too much information to fit into one evening.

Your login information will be sent within 24 hours of purchase. Please watch the pre-class video before attending the live class. This allows us to spend more of our time together digging into the information that will make the biggest difference in your garden.

Class Details

Date: Weds, January 20, 2027
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: The Valley Annex, 247 S Alaska St, Palmer, AK

Class size is limited to maintain an intimate learning environment and to meet the requirements of our rental agreement. Advance registration is required.

Please do not bring additional guests. We have a set number of attendees permitted for the class.

Alaska Seed Starting FAQs

When should I start seeds indoors in Alaska?

There isn’t one seed-starting date for an Alaska garden. Different crops need dramatically different amounts of time. Long-season crops may need to be started months before our last frost, while fast-growing crops can suffer if they are started too early. In class, we’ll learn how to work backward from your expected planting date and build a seed-starting schedule for your garden.

Do I need a greenhouse to grow these varieties?

Not necessarily. Some crops benefit greatly from protected growing conditions, but a traditional greenhouse isn’t your only option. Season extension, microclimates, garden placement, and other techniques can make a significant difference. If you don’t have a greenhouse, be sure to watch the free Permaculture Design Course recording included with your registration.

Why does variety matter so much in Alaska?

Days to maturity only tell part of the story. Two varieties of the same vegetable can perform very differently under Alaska’s temperatures, daylight, and short growing season. We have spent nearly a decade growing and evaluating varieties to identify plants that are better suited to northern conditions.

What soil mix should I use for seed starting?

Seedlings need a light, well-draining growing medium that provides the right balance of moisture and oxygen around developing roots. We’ll discuss different seed-starting media, what we use, and affordable options for starting larger numbers of plants.

How much light do seedlings need?

Strong light is one of the most important factors in producing compact, sturdy seedlings. We’ll discuss grow-light placement, duration, and how lighting needs change as seedlings grow.

Do seedlings need to be hardened off before planting outside?

Yes. Indoor-grown seedlings need time to adjust to outdoor sunlight, wind, and temperature fluctuations. We’ll cover how to gradually harden plants before transplanting them into the garden.

Your Garden Starts in January

A successful Alaska garden doesn’t begin when the snow melts. It begins months earlier with the varieties you choose, the timing of your seed starting, and understanding what those plants need before they ever reach the garden.

We’ve spent nearly two decades figuring out what works here.

Now we’re going to grow it together.

Life happens! If you are unable to make it to the live event, you will be registered for the self paced online seed starting class and your seeds will be mailed to you. https://seedsandsoilorganics.com/product/online-winter-seed-starting-class/