Just as it takes a unique character of person to make a home here in the Last Frontier, those of us who have turned a spade in this soil know that it takes a certain kind of plant as well. They need to thrive (or at least manage) with thin and often acidic soils, a short growing season and unpredictable frosts. Perennials need a hearty tap and a diligent steward to survive the extreme over-wintering. Add to these difficulties the great regional climatic variation, and it is no wonder that so many Outsiders still express a mix of disbelief and awe when I tell them about gardening in Alaska. 

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