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The two RV Gypsies |
The Georgeson Botanical Garden is a five-acre garden hosting a variety of research and educational programs in subarctic horticulture. It is open to the public during daylight hours, usually June 1 through Labor Day, for a small fee. It is part of the Alaska Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. The garden was named after Charles Christian Georgeson, who was the USDA Special Agent in charge of Alaska Investigations in 1899. Dr. Georgeson arrived in Alaska during the Gold Rush to research the possibilities for agriculture in Alaska. He surveyed the land near Fairbanks and started the Fairbanks Experiment Farm. A portion of the land was later annexed for use as the first campus of the University of Alaska. |
Research at the garden involves a variety of plants including annual flowers, vegetables and perennial ornamentals with an emphasis on Alaska native plants. A ten-year effort began in 2001 to explore the possibility of exporting fresh cut flowers and has led to a small industry centered on peonies. Flowers have been exported to retail and wholesale markets since 2007. Because of Alaska's northern environment, many flowers bloom later than other regions, providing a competitive advantage on world markets. Research also emphasizes domestication and management of wild stands especially of Alaska wild blueberries and lingonberries. |
Below: Really big cabbage. Lee Duquette touched it in order for the photo to show how big the cabbage is. |
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Below: Karen Duquette just loved the view looking through the fence at the end of the bouncy bridge. |
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flower at Georgeson Botanical Garden |
Asistic Lily "Elodie" |
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Or if you have not finished with Fairbanks, continue on