Georgeson Botanical Gardens
The gardens in Fairbanks, Alaska, on the University of Alaska
Fairbanks campus, are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the public is
welcome to come on in and wander around. Depending on the time of the year, visitors may
see beautiful flowers, trees and shrub or giant vegetables. The best viewing is June
through freeze-up in the fall.
The gardens are about 3 acres in size and have paths that wander through the flower
garden, the boggy areas and the family food garden. Benches and bird baths are generously
sprinkled into the mix. There are herb and cutting gardens, and a children's water garden.
[The photo is from Alaska Gardening
Guide,
a book on vegetable gardening in Alaska,
published by Publications Consultants,
© 2000 by Ann D. Roberts, all rights reserved.
Photo by Dr. Don Dinkel]
There is a modest $2 charge to support the gardens, and self guided tours,
as well as paid ones are available.
Visitor Viewing
The Reindeer Research Program is dedicated to the development and
promotion of the reindeer industry. Visitors can view the animals in an
enclosed viewing area, along the fence bordering the road. During the summer, there is a guided tour of
the gardens every Friday at 2 p.m.
For anyone who wants to learn more about the plants of Alaska and their uses, the
gardens also offer classes throughout the summer. Charges for the classes vary depending
on the subjects being taught, and most last a few hours.
July 17, 2000 there was a free day of classes from 11 a.m. to 4
p.m. Classes taught by local 4H teens and volunteers were directed to
grades K-8, but all were welcome. Other offerings that day were food
concessions and a petting zoo. For info on future events, call Katie,
474-6921 or Greg Simpson, 452-1530.
For more information on the gardens or the experimental farm, call
(907) 474-1959, or 474-5651. Or visit their website.
Hello Potential Herb Garden Volunteers!
The Georgeson Botanical Garden is seeking an excited, dedicated
individual(s) to design and care for an herb bed.
The Dorothy Truran
Herb Garden is cared for by a group of volunteers, 'The Herb Bunch'.
Each bed in the garden is adopted by an individual (or pair of
individuals). We are seeking volunteers for two of the six beds for the
2011 growing season.
What is the Commitment?
You propose a theme for the garden and we provide the plants that you
select to fit your theme. You design the bed and plant it. Of course we
would not stop you from weeding them if you choose to do so! We will
take care of the watering. You gather data throughout the growing
season. We provide the data sheets. At the end of the season you do the
harvesting and any associated taste testing etc. then provide the GBG
and thus, the public with your results.
Please contact the garden (not
this website) if you are interested or if you have any questions! See
contact numbers above.