Fall projects

Here is a collection of a few Black Dog Gardens custom cedar garden boxes. September is a great time to commission and install a box of your own without the distractions and pressure of preparing the garden for planting. You have all winter to get ready for that.

If you like what you see or if you have some other ideas, send me an e-mail at blackdoggardens@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Garden cleanup and compost bins

    It's that time of year where the green leaves stop looking so green and the dead plants start piling up. If you need some help cleaning up your garden for winter or you need a nice cedar compost bin, then send blackdoggardens@gmail.com an e-mail. 

    The compost bin pictured below is made from naturally rot-resistant cedar fence pickets, assembled lincoln-log style so you can build it as big or small as it needs to be. The price for a single 3'x3' bin like the one below is $60 but ask for two or three and we can make a deal!

Little Library on KTVA

The first library featured on this KTVA news program was made by Black Dog Gardens: Little Free Libraries Pop Up in Anchorage.   (Notice the rooftop garden!)

Black Dog Gardens at the Spenard Farmers Market

The past two Saturdays Zoe and I (Nick) were at the Spenard Farmers Market selling garden boxes and letting people know what Black Dog Gardens has to offer. It was great meeting all of you people who are inspired to garden and I would love to follow up with you. Send an e-mail to blackdoggardens@gmail.com and let me know how we can work together!

Here is a picture from market:

A happy gardener

"Nick inspired me with his practical knowledge and passion for gardening! He helped build my greenhouse and willingly did the heavy lifting. He is an absolute delight to work with and made gardening fun!"

Heather J.

Why start now?

!

Yes, the ground is still white but now is the perfect time to start thinking about your garden. Step outside and look where the snow is melting fastest: this can show you the warmest spot for your plants.

Like berries? Raspberries, strawberries, honeyberries, seaberries, currants (red, black and white!), gooseberries and aronia all do well with the right care in Anchorage. You may be able to get some of these at the Alaska Botanical Garden spring plant sale on May 25th but stock is very limited. A safer bet is to put together an order from a nursery like One Green World and now is the time to order!

Send me an e-mail at blackdoggardens@gmail.com and we can set up a time to take a look at the space you have, talk about what you want and come up with a plan to get there!

Custom garden boxes, too!

To keep busy before the ground thaws I've been building garden boxes, too. Here is a picture of what they look like:

They are made from naturally rot-resistant cedar (I don't use pressure-treated wood) with re-enforced corners and are easily installable and transportable. The dimensions are 2'x4'x1'. The ones in the picture are for a deck so they have a floor.

I also do custom boxes. Here are a few pictures of some custom boxes.

E-mail me at blackdoggardens@gmail.com or call me (Nick) at 907.301.4644

Custom Cold-frames

I am currently building cedar cold-frames using storm-windows from the Re-store in Anchorage. Cold-frames are great for hardening-off plants outside or can also be placed over cold-sensitive crops as a season extender or to expand the growing options.

The dimensions vary based on the windows but the ones I have in stock are approximately 2ftx4ft. E-mail me at blackdoggardens@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing one or if you would like to commission a custom size. Prices will vary but will be between $50 and $75.

Off we go!

Spring is sprung! The ground may still be white but the steps to a bountiful summer garden start now. It's time to start thinking about what you want, where you want it, and how you are going to get it. Black Dog Gardens is now ready to help you plan and implement your greenest garden dreams. Shoot us an e-mail at blackdoggardens@gmail.com and we'll go from there.