Recommended Variety List for Interior Alaska

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Growing vegetables in Alaska can be easy and rewarding. In this land of the midnight sun, there are few pests and plants grow quickly. Plants photosynthesize almost continuously during Alaska's long days, which when combined with cooler temperatures, can contribute to a higher percentage of nutrients and sweetness in northern grown produce.

Because of the Interior's latitude and unique climatic conditions, variety selection is important for growing success. The many hours of sunlight can be a challenge for northern gardens. Long day lengths can signal some crops like beet, spinach and radish to flower or "bolt," meaning they go to seed prematurely. The cold soil can slow down root growth and may require special soil-warming techniques for warm-season crops such as tomatoes and sweet corn. Soil warming techniques are described in Extension publication HGA-00132, "Raised Bed Gardening in Alaska."

Varieties can be selected to reduce bolting and withstand cool soil temperatures. Varieties can also be selected for other uses. For example, individuals entering vegetables in the state fair can select varieties for their large size, which is ultimately determined by the genetic makeup of the variety. Varieties such as O-S Cross cabbage have the potential to grow to champion sizes. If winter storage is desired, it is best to select a late-maturing variety and harvest as late as possible. Refer to the comment sections in the following tables to find the varieties suited for your needs.

Pile of squash

Bundle of wide green leavesAlthough Alaska gardens have few pests, some pests can cause a lot of damage. Two common pests are the root maggot, which is the larval form of a small fly that attacks cole crops and onions, and slugs, the populations of which are shifting northward. Slugs can damage many crop types. Understanding pest species' life cycles and management strategies can help avoid crop damage and loss. Visit the Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) website for updates on pest and invasive species in Alaska and help identifying and strategies for managing pest populations at www.uaf.edu/ces/invasives/ipm/.

Many of the varieties listed in this publication were field tested by research horticulturists at the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and by vegetable farmers in the Fairbanks area. Additional testing has been conducted by Extension agents, Master Gardeners and local producers. For recent variety trial results reports visit www.bit.ly/vegtrials.

These varieties have been selected after years of successful trials and evaluation. There are a few, however, that have been included because they have shown exceptional promise after only one or two years of testing.

Garden Vegetables

Vegetable Variety Maturity Yield Comments
Artichoke

Green Globe

Midseason to late

Good

Will produce when grown as an annual

 

Imperial Star


 

Midseason to late


 

Good


 

Will produce when grown as an annual; frost sensitive


 

 

Tavor

Midseason to late

High

Will produce when grown as an annual; frost sensitive

Asparagus Jersey Series Early Good Jersey Knight, Prince, Giant and Supreme; winter mulching improves survival; takes 3 to 4 years to establish plants prior to harvest.
Snap Beans Contender Earliest High Good quality; good for canning and freezing
  Provider Earliest High Reliable high yield
  Royal Burgundy Early High Good quality; good freezer; color makes harvest easy
  Royalty Purple Pod Early High Does well in cool soils
(pole) Kentucky Wonder Midseason Good Heirloom; great taste
  Northeaster Early Good Excellent eating quality; good freezer
  Scarlet Runner Midseason Good Sweet; good for seed saving
(Romano) Bountiful Early High Heirloom; good quality
  Gina Early High Best of early Romano beans
  Roma II Intermediate High Italian type, flat
  Romano Gold  Early Good Bush Romano wax, yellow
(yellow wax) Carson Early  High Good quality, good freezer
  Goldrush Early Good Yellow straight pods; excellent for canning and freezing
  Rocdor Early Good Reliable; early
Beets Chioggia Early Good Heirloom; sweet flavor
  Cylindra Midseason Good Heirloom; resists bolting, tender; sweet; good for canning
  Detroit Dark Red Midseason Good Globe shaped
  Merlin Early Good Round; smooth; high sugar content; F1
  Red Ace Early High Round; smooth; good greens; F1
  Robin Midseason High Round; can grow extralarge and maintains good flavor; F1
  Subeto Early High Consistently round and uniform; tasty greens; F1
  Touchstone Gold Midseason Good Smooth; golden roots; yellow flesh; sweet flavor
  Zeppo Early High Consistently round and uniform; F1
Broccoli Amadeus Early Good Vigorous medium-large plants; cold tolerant; F1
  Belstar Midseason Good Widely adapted; handles stress; F1
  Green Magic Early Good Head uniform; smaller than Gypsy; F1
  Gypsy Midseason Good Strong roots; handles lower fertility soils; F1
  Marathon Late High Large heads; cold tolerant; F1; good Shogun substitute
  Premium Crop Midseason High Large lateral production
  Solstice Midseason High Medium-large crowns; good lateral production
  Waltham 29 Midseason Good Cold-hardy; large lateral production
(Romanesco) Veronica Midseason Good Great flavor; short shelf life; heirloom
Vegetable Variety Maturity Yields Comments
Brussels Sprouts Churchill Early Good Earliest variety; vigorous; F1
  Jade Cross Early High Very good; dependable; F1
  Nautic Midseason High Large; flavorful; easy to grow; cold tolerant; F1
  Hestia Midseason High Large; flavorful; easy to grow; cold tolerant; F1
  Dagan Midseason High Large; flavorful; easy to grow; cold tolerant; F1
Cabbage Caraflex Early Good Pointed mini cabbage; inner leaves tender; F1
  Deadon Late High Hybrid, pinkish purple; slightly savoyed January King type; F1
  Dynamo Midseason Good Small head; seed hard to find
  Farao Early Good Small heads; peppery sweet
  Golden Acre Early Good Solid heads; stores well
  Gonzales Early Good Mini cabbage for close spacing; F1
  January King Late High Heirloom; pinkish purple; slightly savoyed; cold hardy
  O-S Cross Late High Giant cabbage capability
  Perfection Savoy Late High Large; reliable; savoyed cabbage
  Red Acre Late High Compact; reliable; dense red cabbage
  Red Express Early to midseason Good Reliable; dense red cabbage
  Ruby Ball Improved Midseason Fair Red; small heads; holds well in field
  Kaitlin Midseason to late Good OK storage; good for sauerkraut; F1
  Storage #4 Midseason to late Good Excellent storage; blue green heads; disease resistant; F1
  Stonehead Late Good Small compact heads; good for sauerkraut
  Tobia Midseason High Hybrid, moose favorite
Carrots Bolero Early High Bright orange, 6 to 7-inch root; excellent storage
  Napoli Very early High High quality, cylindrical, 6 to 7-inch root; good alternative Nelson; F1
  Nectar Midseason High High quality; Nantes types; smooth cylindrical 7 to 8-inch root; excellent storage
  Purple Haze Midseason Fair All-America selection, purple with orange core
  Purple Sun Midseason Good Purple throughout, lots of anthocyanin
  Scarlet Nantes Early High Stores well, good quality, great taste
  Thumbelina Early Good Small, round, gourmet type; good for shallow soils
  Yaya Very early Good Very sweet, 6-inch root, good for bunching
  Yellowstone Midseason Good Vigorous growth; 6 to 8-inch root; deep yellow color
Cauliflower Amazing Midseason High Holds up in garden
  Bishop Midseason High Good vigor, self-wrapping, F1 hybrid
  Cheddar Early High Bright orange, F1 hybrid
  Denali Midseason High Large heads, good root system, F1 hybrid
  Graffiti Midseason to late Good Brilliant purple, F1 hybrid
  Snow Crown Early Good Good quality, dependable
  Vitaverde Midseason High Green heads, F1 hybrid
  Veronica, Romanesco Midseason to late Good Spiraled green heads, F1 hybrid, does not store well
Vegetable Variety Maturity Yield Comments
Celery Conquistador Midseason High  Tall dark stalks, hardy
  Nero Mid to late Very high Dependable, stringless, high quality; F1
  Merengo Mid to late Very high Dependable, stringless; excellent flavor; large ribs; F1
  Tango Midseason Very high Less fibrous, hardy, good flavor
Corn, Sweet* Grow through clear or IRT plastic mulch      
  Earlivee Midseason High Good quality; dependable for cooler conditions; nice ears
  Early Sunglow Early Good Compact (4 feet); dependable for cooler conditions; 6- to 7-inch ear
  Peaches and Cream Late Good Large ears
  Sugar Buns Mid to late High Yellow gourmet SE type; excellent eating quality; very sweet
  Sugar Pearl Mid to late High White gourmet SE type; excellent eating quality; very sweet
  Temptress Early to mid High Bi-color gourmet synergistic type; excellent eating quality; F1
Cucumber* Grow through clear or IRT plastic mulch      
(slicing) Corinto Early Good Uniform, 7 to 8 inches long; tolerates cool weather and stress; F1
  Diva Early Good Seedless; thin skin; 5 to 7 inches
  Fanfare Early High Bush; white spine
  Marketmore 76 Early High Dark green; 8 to 9 inches; a standard
  Sweeter Yet Very early High 10 to 12 inches; crisp fruit
  Salad Bush Early Good 8 inches long; smooth skin
  Socrates Early Good Sweet, seedless; 8 inches long; F1; smooth skin; tolerates cooler conditions
(pickling) Alibi Early Very high Good disease resistance; light green
  Bush Pickle Early High Nice compact bushy plant
  Calypso F1 Early Good Uniform, blocky, dark green fruit
  Northern Pickling Early High Black spine
(European) Carmen Early High Good quality
Eggplant* Grow through clear or IRT plastic mulch, but all varieties marginal in the Interior      
  Aretussa Midseason Good All white, cylindrical fruit
  Diamond Midseason Good 4 to 8 inch fruit; good flavor
  Patio Baby Early Fair Compact; well suited for containers
  Galine Midseason Good Glossy; 6 to 7 inches long and 3 to 4 inches in diameter
  Orient Express Early Good Sets fruit in cool weather
Fennel Orazio Midseason High Large, white to light green bulbs; gets tougher if left too long in field; F1
  Orion Midseason Good Uniform bulbs; crisp and juicy; F1
  Preludio Midseason High Large, uniform, white bulbs; sweet; F1
  Solaris Early to mid Good Uniformly round white bulbs; sweet flavor, excellent texture; F1
Vegetable Variety Maturity Yields Comments
Garlic Plant in late fall and mulch under 3 to 4 inches of straw or leaves in order to harvest cloves in summer. See the Extension publication "Growing Garlic in Alaska" for more information: www.uaf.edu/ces/garden/garlic/      
  Chesnok Red Early fall High Hardneck; good producer
  German Extra Hardy Early fall Good Also called German White; withstands cold soils; pungent flavor; excellent storage
  Inchellium Red Early fall Fair Softneck type; smaller cloves; national taste test winner
  Music Early fall High Hardneck; good producer; pungent flavor; excellent storage
  Russian Red Early fall Good Hardneck; good producer; flavorful
Greens Green Wave Midseason Good Showy and hot mustard
  Tendergreen Midseason Good Good mustard
  Chioggia Red Preco # 1 Early High Large, heavy heads; red radicchio
  Perseo Radicchio Early Good Smaller sized head; earliest
  Carlton Early Good Mild, dark green komatsuna; good stress tolerance; F1
  Champion Collards Midseason Good Slow to bolt; compact wavy leaves
  Flash Collards Midseason Good Slow to bolt; dark-green smooth leaves
  Vates Collards Late Good Good quality
  Red Orach Early to mid Good Deep purple leaves; spinach-like flavor; can be perennial in some locations
Herbs        
(Basil)* Genovese Early   Bred especially for pesto; disease resistant
  Italian large leaf Midseason Good Sweet scent and taste; fusarium resistant
  Mrs. Burns' lemon Early Good Lemon basil; lemon flavor; bright green
  Nufar Midseason Good Fusarium resistant
  Purple Ruffles Midseason Good Burgundy-leaved basil
  Prospera DMR PS5 Midseason Good Genovese type; high disease resistance
(Chives) Nearly all varieties do well      
(Dill) Bouquet Midseason High Fast-growing; good for pickling
  Fernleaf Midseason Fair Slowest to bolt; compact habit; good for containers
  Teddy Midseason Good Slow to bolt; compact dense plant; good for containers
(Oregano) Greek Mideason High Very productive; strong flavor; good culinary qualities
(Parsley) Green River Midseason High Prolific bushy plant; curly leaves
  Giant of Italy Midseason High Preferred culinary variety
  Forest Green Midseason to late High Tolerates light frost; needs summer shade
  Italian Flat Leaf Midseason High Large mounds; very productive
  Moss Curled Midseason High Grown in Alaska since early 1900s
(Sage) Common Sage Midseason High Dusty green leaves; good for drying and cooking
  Purple Sage Midseason High Attractive leaves with good flavor and aroma for cooking
  Tricolor Midseason High Attractive leaves with good flavor and aroma
(Savory) Summer Savory Midseason High Productive; strong peppery flavor
  Midget Midseason High Compact growth habit; strong flavor
Vegetable Variety Maturity Yields Comments
(Thyme) German Winter Midseason Good Good flavor; sometimes winter hardy
  Magic Carpet Midseason Good Lemon thyme; compact growing habit
  Lemon variegated Midseason Good Fragrant lemon thyme; creeping; low
  Summer Midseason Good Spicier; more pungent; smaller plant
Kale Nearly all kinds do well      
  Redbor Very early High Frilly, deep purple leaves
  Red Russian Early High Stems purple; leaves flat and toothed; 25 days; baby
  Toscano Early to mid Good Mild flavor; 30 days; Lacinato type
  Winterbor Early High Sweet after frosts; F1
Kohlrabi Kossack Late Good Large; good for storage; interior sweet
  Beas Early High White; tender; uniform; F1
  Early White Vienna Early High Heirloom variety
  Grand Duke Early High Very nice; earliest
  Kolibri Early High Excellent; purple skinned
  Superschmelz Midseason Good Very large; good for storage; sweet and tender
Leeks Baby Lincoln Midseason to late High Harvest finger size for baby leeks
  Chinook Midseason High High quality; good cold and stress tolerance
  Giant Musselburgh Late High Heirloom variety; high yield; Heirloom Seeds
  King Richard Late High Nice long neck
  Lancelot Midseason Good Virus tolerant; bolt resistant
  Poncho Late Good Good quality; cold tolerant
Lettuce (head) Crispino  Early High Medium-size firm heads
  Great Lakes Early Good Dependable
  Ithaca Midseason Good Good quality and flavor; reliable
(butterhead) Adreiana Early High Good disease resistance; dark green
  Buttercrunch Midseason Good All-America selection
  Ermosa Midseason Good Tolerant to tip burn and bolting
  Green Butter Early Good Good quality and flavor; Salanova type
  Sangria Midseason Good Red-tipped; good quality; tolerant to bolting
  Skyphos Early Good Very reliable; large dark-red leaves
  Sylvestra Midseason High Big green; exceptional disease resistance
(Romaine) Green Forest Midseason Good Rarely bolts; good flavor; crisp; easy to handle
  Parris Island Cos Midseason High Heirloom; high quality; dependable
  Red Rosie Early Good Top half red fading to green; upright habit
  Romulus Midseason Good 9 to 12-inch heads; crisp
(looseleaf) Italienischer Midseason Excellent Huge bright green plant; 18 inches; sweet; crisp
  Black-Seeded Simpson Midseason Good Standard light green for baby leaf
  Dark Lollo Rossa Early Good Standard red for baby leaf
  Grand Rapids Midseason Good Fair quality
Vegetable Variety Maturity Yields Comments
  Merlot Midseason Good Intense deep burgundy
  New Red Fire Early Good Ruby-red head; bolt resistant
  Red Sails Early Good All-America selection
  Red Salad Bowl Early Good Good quality; bolt resistant
  Ruby Midseason Good Red; good quality
  Salad Bowl Early High Excellent; bolt resistant
  Two Star Midseason Good Thick, crisp chartreuse leaves
  Vulcan Early to midseason Good Brilliant red leaves; crisp; mild
Onion Caution — onion sets may introduce diseases and insects to gardens; start onions from seed if possible      
(storage) Alisa Craig Late High English heirloom; sweet; stores well
  Patterson Late High Good for cool climate; stores well
  Red Bull Late High Excellent storage; dark red
  Red Mountain Late High Good storage; dark red; improved from Red Wing; matures slightly earlier
  Red Wing Late Good Hard and good storage
  Walla Walla sweet Late Good Very sweet; not for long-term storage
(bunching) Deep Purple Midseason Good Highly colored
  Guardsman Early Good Tasty white bulb; green foliage
(shallots) Conservor Late Good Reddish brown; good storage; single bulb
Parsnip Hollow Crown, Improved Late Good Good quality; most dependable; start early, harvest late; excellent storage
  Javelin Late Good Uniform, slender wedge-shaped roots
  Warrior Midseason-late Good Uniform; large cylindrical roots
Peas (snow) Avalanche Early-midseason Good Large, crisp and flavorful pods
  Oregon Sugarpod II Early Good Edible podded; excellent snow pea
  Oregon Giant Early Good Edible podded
(snap) Dwarf Grey Sugar Early Good Edible podded; dependable; poorer fresh-eating quality
  Freezonian Late High Indeterminate type; good quality; fusarium resistant
  Sugar Ann Early Good Edible podded; like snap bean
  Sugar Daddy Early High Stringless; double pods
  Sugar Snap Midseason Good Edible podded; like snap bean
  Sugar Sprint Snap Early Good Sweet; almost stringless
  Super Sugar Snap Early Good Shorter-vined version of Sugar Snap
(shelling) Green Arrow Late Highest Outstanding quality; long pods
  Laxton's Progress #9 Early High Long pods with nine peas per pod
  Lincoln Midseason High Heirloom; good quality; small; sweet
  Maestro Early High First early Green Arrow type
  Mr. Big Midseason Good All-America selection
Vegetable Variety Maturity Yields Comments
Peppers* Grow through clear or IRT plastic mulch      
(sweet) Blushing Beauty Midseason Good All-America selection; sweet bell
  Carmen Midseason Good All-America selection; sweet Italian; bull’s horn type
  Giant Marconi Midseason Good All-America selection; extra sweet
  Italian Sweet Early to midseason High Italian sweet type
  King Arthur Midseason High Large green or red fruit (F1), widely adapted
  Mohawk Midseason Good Green to yellow bell for containers
  Oranos Midseason High Highly prolific outdoors; long fruit matures from green to orange; F1
  Park’s Early Thickset Midseason High Good quality
  Red Knight X3R Midseason Good Big blocky fruit; good disease resistance
  Redskin Midseason Good Green to red bell for containers
  Revolution Midseason Good Very large fruit; medium green to red
(hot)   Anaheim College 64 Midseason Good Medium sizzle; six to 10 fruit per plant
  Big Boss Man Midseason Good Large blocky fruit; does well in cooler weather
  Black Magic Midseason God Mild jalapeno
  Czech Black Early-midseason Good Small, jalapeno-like fruit; increasing in heat as matures from green to purple
  Highlander Midseason Good Does well in cooler weather; semi-flattened
  Hungarian Yellow Wax Midseason Good Hot yellow
  Poblano Midseason Good Uniform large fruit; great for roasting
  Red Rocket Early High Tapered; thin walled; widely adapted
  Thai Hot Early High Excellent quality
  Senorita Midseason Good Mild jalapeno
  Red Ember Early-midseason High Excellent quality cayenne
Potato Always use certified disease-free seed purchased locally in Alaska to keep out diseases that exist elsewhere. Refer to Extension publication "Growing Potatoes in the Alaska Garden" for additional varieties and information.      
  Alaska Red Early High Red; tender skin; stores well; determinate
  Alaska Frostless Midseason High White; tender skin; not good for storage
  All Blue Midseason Good Good quality; deep purple-blue color
  Calwhite Late Very high Good baking; big-sized tubers; stores well; indeterminate
  Chieftain Late Very high Good quality; red skin, white flesh; determinate
  German Butterball Late High Yellow flesh; excellent taste; indeterminate
  Green Mountain Late High Good quality; indeterminate
  French Fingerling Midseason High Excellent roasting quality; nutty flavor; indeterminate
  Kennebec Early High Tender skin; determinate
  Goldrush Russet Late High Good quality for baking and storage.
  Rote Erstling Early Good Red; tough skin; yellow flesh; good quality
  Sangre Midseason Good Red skinned; excellent baked or boiled
  Swedish Peanut Late Good Excellent flavor and roasting quality; indeterminate
  Yukon Gold Early High Yellow flesh; good tasting; stores well; determinate
Vegetable Variety Maturity Yields Comments
Pumpkin* Grow through clear or IRT plastic mulch (use transplants 4-5 weeks old)      
  Connecticut Field Midseason to late High Heirloom; large
  Dill's Atlantic Giant Late High For giant vegetable growers; produces 200+ pound fruit; not good for eating
  Howden Late Good Traditional Halloween pumpkin; 10 to 15 pounds
  Neon Mid to early Good 7 to 8 pounds; uniform
  New England Pie Midseason Good Heirloom; small; good baking quality
  Racer Midseason to late High Vigorous; short vine
  Sorcerer Late High All-America selection; compact vine
  Wee-B-Little Late High Very small; ornamental
  Windsor Midseason Good Bright orange; good storage; compact, productive plant
  Lumina Midseason to late Good Medium size; white skin
Radish Burpee White Midseason High Holds longest without bolting
  Bacchus Very early High Deep purple color; uniformly round
  Cherry Belle Early Good Very good keeping quality
  Cherriette Early Good Good shape and color; F1
  Crunchy Royale Early Good Smooth; red wine, mild flavor; F1
  D'Avingnon Very early Good 3 to 4 inches long; harvest promptly
  Alpine Midseason to late High Daikon; long white root
  Easter Egg Early High Mix of red, purple and white
  French Breakfast Early High Carmine color; 3 to 4 inches; mild; crispy
  Mino Spring Midseason Good Slow bolting; Daikon cross
  Miyashige Midseason Good Daikon; long white root
  Scarlet Globe Early Good Holds better than Cherry Belle
  Summer Cross #3 Midseason Good Japanese style; 16 inches; uniform white; F1
  White Icicle Late Fair Long 5-inch, icicle-shaped root
Rhubarb Perennial plant; rhubarb generally does well in Alaska.      
  Canada Red Early High High quality
  McDonald Early High High quality
Rutabaga Helenor Midseason to late High Round bulb; light orange flesh; stores well
  Laurentian Midseason High Heirloom; purple top; sweet, mild
  Joan Midseason High Heirloom; sweet flavor
Spinach Corvair Early Good Smooth leaf; dark green; F1
  Bloomsdale Longstanding Midseason High Good variety for Fairbanks; bolt resistant; longer days to maturity
  Escalade Early to midseason High Smooth meaty leaf; one of the most bolt resistant varieties tested in Fairbanks
  Lizard Early High Bolt resistant; sow early and late season due to shorter days to maturity
  Renegade Early to midseason High Excellent quality; one of the most bolt-resistant varieties tested in Fairbanks
  Space Early to midseason High Slower to bolt; smooth leaf; F1
Vegetable Variety Maturity Yields Comments
Squash* Improve growth by growing through IRT (solar) plastic mulch      
(summer) Bush Baby Early Good Ready at 4 to 6 inches; striped; glossy
  Costata Romanesco Midseason Low Italian heirloom; nutty delicious flavor
  Desert Midseason High Compact plant; long straight zucchini; good fruit set
  Early Prolific Early High Yellow; straight neck
  Eight Ball Midseason High Harvest at golf ball size
  Goldmine Midseason Good Shiny yellow with stripes; F1
  Goldrush Early High Striking yellow zucchini
  Magda Early High Cousa type; sweet, nutty flavor
  One Ball Early High Yellow ball shape; harvest at golf ball size
  Raven Early High Dark-skinned zucchini
  Seneca Prolific Midseason Fair Yellow; straight neck; Botrytis resistant
  Slick Pick Early Good Attractive fruit; easy harvest; F1
  Spineless Perfection Early High Medium green; disease resistant; F1
  Sunburst (pattypan) Midseason High Bright yellow scallop; F1
  Tigress Midseason Good Flecked; medium green; disease resistant; F1
  Yellow Crookneck Midseason High Buttery flavor, firm texture; 5-6 inch fruit
(winter) Autumn Delight Midseason Good Semi-bush acorn type; dark green; F1
  Bon Bon Late High Buttercup type; All-America selection; sweet; good storage variety
  Blue Hubbard Late Good Large; blue-green; extra hard shell; yellow-orange flesh; excellent for storage
  Burgess Buttercup Midseason - late High Dark green; excellent quality
  Bush Delicata Midseason - late OK Small habit; excellent eating quality; C. pepo yields likely improved from dark periods
  Gete-Okosomin Midseason - late High Excellent melon flavor and eating quality; very large fruit; Native American heirloom variety
  Gold Nugget Midseason - late High Good quality; dependable; small
  Red Kuri Midseason - late High Mini red hubbard type; excellent eating quality for pies and purees
  Spaghetti Squash Midseason High Spaghetti-like flesh; avoid overwatering when fruit is set to avoid cracking; also consider Hasta la Pasta variety for attractive orange-color shell
  Sunshine Late High Bright orange Kabocha type; sweet, smooth flesh; excellent eating and pie quality.
  Sweet Meat Late High Heirloom; 10 to 15 pounds; good for pie
  Sweet Mama Early High Green Kabocha type; good eating quality
  Tiptop PMR Midseason - late Good Great storage; large size; black green acorn type; F1
  Wintersweet Midseason - late High Attractive sage green shell; orange meat; Kabocha type; excellent storage life; F1
Swiss Chard Bright Lights Chard Midseason Good All-America selection; multicolored

 

Vegetable Variety Maturity Yields Comments
  Fordhook Giant Midseason Good Standard green Swiss chard; white veins
  Neon Lights Chard Midseason High Blend of five varieties; multicolored
  Rhubarb Chard Midseason Good Very attractive; smaller than white
  Silverado Chard Midseason High Compact plant; slow to bolt
Tomatillo Toma Verde Midseason - late High Great for salsa; 2-inch fruits
Tomato* Best results when grown through IRT plastic mulch or using season extension techniques      
(determinate) Black Cherry Early High Moderately salt tolerant; vigorous growth
  Bush Early Girl Early Excellent Early; medium sized
  Cosmonaut Volkov Midseason Good Heirloom; super tasty; 2 to 3 inches; sweet and tangy
  Red Robin Early High Small ½-inch fruit; prolific
  Sweet n' Neat Early to mid Good Ultra compact; ideal for containers; F1
  Taxi Early Good Large yellow fruit
  Tumbler cherry Early Good Excellent for hanging baskets and containers; F1
(indeterminate) Big Beef Midseason High Tasty slicer; good disease resistance; F1
  Black Plum Early Good Small prolific purple fruit
  Buffalo Midseason Good Heirloom; great sandwich tomato; pale rosy pink
  Caruso-Re Early High Good quality; excellent for greenhouse
  Early Tanana¹ Early Good Ripens well when picked green
  Juliet Early Good Sweet red cherry; crack resistant; All-America selection
  Lemon Boy Early Good Large yellow fruit
  Stupice Early High Very early; small, productive plants
  Sub Arctic 25 Early Good Productive; small fruits
  Sub Arctic Maxi Very early Good Largest fruit for subarctic type
  Sungold Early Good Apricot-orange-cherry; excellent fruity flavor; F1
  Sweet 100 Early High Good quality
Turnip Best results when grown under low tunnels to avoid root maggot predation      
  Golden Ball Late Good 3 to 4-inch roots; sweet and mellow flavor
  Hakurei Midseason High Excellent eating quality, sweet-fruity taste; holds well
  Purple Top White Globe Late Heavy Good for storage
  Scarlet Queen Red Stem Midseason Good Everything is edible; best at 2 to 3-inch roots
  Tokyo Cross Early High Nice small white turnip; excellent eating quality

Fruit Varieties

Some fruit crops and varieties may only survive when planted in the most favorable sites. Carefully selecting a planting site, connecting with successful fruit and berry growers, and planting several varieties on your property will increase fruit growing success. Your local nursery is a good source for recommending varieties for your area and growing conditions.

Fruit Variety Maturity Yield Comments
Apple Note: Apples require a "pollenizer plant" of different variety to bear fruit.      
  Alma Sweet Late Good Hardy; 2-inch fruits; very sweet, good for sauce
  Nor series (10) Late Good Marginally good hardiness
  Parkland Late Good Marginally hard (zone 2a); tart; large fruit - 2.5 to 3.5-inch diameter
  Prairie series Late Good (Prairie Sun, Sensation, Magic, etc.) developed in Saskatchewan, Canada; fast growing; good to very hardy
  Schafer Late High Small tart fruit; very hardy to zone 2a (good for Tanana Valley)
  Trailman Late High Hardiest variety for Tanana Valley; 1.75-inch fruit; stores well
  Westland Late Good Marginally hardy
Apple, Crab Rescue Late Fair Marginally hardy
  Adam Late Fair Marginally hardy
  Sylvia Late Good Marginally hardy
  Jacques Late Good Marginally hardy
  Columbia Late Fair Marginally hardy
Sour Cherry Evans Mid - late High Tree-type cherry; produces slightly larger, sweeter fruit than other cultivars
  Nanking Mid - late OK Fast growing; small 1/2-inch diameter tart, soft flesh fruit; bushes can get up to 15 feet tall
  Pin Cherries Midseason High Very hard; small 1/2-inch diameter tart, soft flesh fruit
  Romance Series (5) Mid - late Good Crimson Passion, Carmine Jewel, Romeo, Juliet, Valentine; fast-growing bush-type cherries; hardy to zone 2a
Currant Many cultivars do well in Alaska      
  Golden Currant Midseason - late High Hardy in Tanana Valley; fruit is less tart than red and less medicinal than black cultivars
  Holland Longbunch (red) Midseason - late High Hardy in higher elevations
  Melalathi (black) Midseason - late High Vigorous growth; very aromatic leaves and strong, sweet flavored fruit
  Red Lake Midseason - late Good Hardy
  Wilder (red) Midseason - late Good Hardy; mildew resistant
Gooseberry Pixwell Late Good Hardiest for higher elevations
  Red Gooseberry Late High Hardy to zone 2a
Fruit Variety Maturity Yield Comments
Haskaps (Honey Berries) Note: Haskaps require a "pollinizer plant" of different variety to bear fruit      
  Aurora Midseason High Large, sweet berries; pollinizer for Berry Blue, Honey Bee, Tundra and Boreal Series
  Boreal Series (3) Midseason Good Boreal Beast has a long flowering period, making it a good pollinizer for other varieties
  Berry Blue Midseason High Very large, fast-growing bushes
  Honey Bee Midseason Good Good pollinizer for Aurora, Berry Blue, Borealis and Tundra
  Kamchatka Early - midseason High Very early and productive plants; large berries
  Tundra Midseason High  
Pear Note: Pears require a "pollinizer plant" of different variety to bear fruit      
  Early Gold Late Good Hardy to zone 2a; grows to about 20 feet tall; eating and preserving quality fruit
  Larynskaya Late Good Produces tangy-sweet medium-sized fruit with white juicy flesh; hardy to zone 2b - 3a (above 800-1000 foot elevation in Fairbanks)
Plum Note: Plums require a "pollinizer plant" of different variety to bear fruit      
  Brook - Red & Gold Late OK Not heavy producers, but nice quality fruit; good pollinizer for Lee and Vic
  Lee Red Late Good Produces tangy-sweet 1-inch diameter fruit; fully hardy in hills (above 800-foot elevation) in Fairbanks
  Vic Red Late Good Vigorous growing variety produces lots of fruit; fully hardy in hills (above 800-foot elevation) in Fairbanks
Raspberry Latham Late Good Good quality
  Boyne Late Good Good quality
  Kiska¹ Early Good Most hardy
  Red Mammoth Midseason to late High Short plant; large fruit; sweet taste
Saskatoon Martin Midseason High Large fruit; plant with Smoky for cross pollination
  Smoky Midseason High Best flavor; plant with Martin for cross pollination
Strawberry Alaska Pioneer¹ Early High Hardy; yield is high when well fertilized and watered
  Albion Midseason Good Day neutral; does not produce as many runners
  Quinault Midseason to frost High Grow as an annual through clear or IRT plastic mulch
  Seascape Midseason High Hardy; day neutral; does well in ground or baskets
  Toklat¹ Midseason High Hardy; larger fruit than Alaska Pioneer

1 Developed at the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

* Warm season crops will benefit by planting them through a clear, or wavelength selective (i.e. InfraRed Transmitting - IRT) plastic mulch. The plastic hastens soil warming by allowing the sun’s rays to penetrate the soil and preventing heat from being dissipated by the wind. Caution is required, however, since most seedlings sunburn if not released from beneath the plastic as soon as they emerge from the soil. Sweet corn may remain under the plastic until 4 to 6 inches tall before being released. Transplants may be planted directly in plastic by cutting a hole large enough to plant into. Plastic mulch also helps to retain soil moisture, and IRT plastic can reduce weed pressure.

SEED & NURSERY SOURCES

Alberta Nurseries & Seeds Ltd.*

Alaska Fruit Trees*

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds*

Burgess Seed and Plant Co.

W. Atlee Burpee & Co.

Denali Seed Co.*

Ester Alaska Seed Library*

Farmer Seed & Nursery Co.*

Ferry-Morse Seed Co.

Fedco Seeds

Found Root*

Irish Eyes Garden City Seeds*

Gourmet Seeds International

Gurney's Seed & Nursery

Harris Seeds Co.*

High Mowing Organic Seeds*

Horticultural Products & Services

Johnny’s Selected Seeds*

J.L. Hudson, Seedsman Seed Bank

Jung Seed

Kitchen Garden Seeds

O'Brien Garden and Trees*

Park Seed Co.

Pinetree Garden Seeds*

Reimer Seeds

R.H. Shumway's

Richter’s Herbs*

Stokes Seeds Inc*.

Territorial Seed Co.*

Totally Tomatoes

Otis S. Twilley Seed Co., Inc.

Vermont Bean Seed Co.*

Vesey's Seeds*

Victory Seed Co.*

Wild Rose Heritage Seed Co.*

* Indicates Alaska or northern region seed company

 

Celery varieties await evaluation post-harvest
Celery varieties await evaluation post-harvest.
One of the corn plots.
One of the corn plots.
Winter squash
Winter Squash

To simplify information, trade names of products have been used. No endorsement of named products by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products that are not mentioned.

Glenna Gannon, Agriculture and Food Systems Faculty. Originally prepared by Wayne Vandre, former Extension Horticulture Specialist.

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Revised September 2022