The extreme winter temperatures and short growing seasons of Alaska might suggest that fruit cultivation is impossible, yet a surprising variety of fruits successfully thrive across the state. This success is due to unique seasonal factors and the use of highly cold-tolerant plant genetics. The long daylight hours of the Alaskan summer provide intense light and energy, allowing adapted plants to complete their reproductive cycle quickly. This combination of hardy genetics and concentrated summer growth makes fruit production a reality, even in the colder Interior.
The Abundance of Cold-Hardy Berries
Berries represent the most reliable and widespread fruit crop in Alaska because they are naturally adapted to severe cold and short seasons. Blueberries, including native lowbush types, are exceptionally cold-hardy and thrive in the region’s acidic soils. Cultivated varieties like ‘Northblue’ and ‘Chippewa’ (half-high hybrids) are recommended for superior cold hardiness in areas like the Kenai Peninsula and Interior Alaska.
Currants and gooseberries are also highly successful, with varieties such as ‘Ben Sarek’ and ‘Red Lake’ performing well in USDA zones 1 through 4. These bushes are highly cold-tolerant and produce fruit quickly during the short summer. Honeyberries, or haskaps, are gaining popularity due to their extreme cold tolerance, high productivity, and ability to ripen earlier than most other berries.
Cultivated raspberries, such as ‘Boyne’ (red) and ‘Fall Gold’ (yellow), are commonly grown, yielding bountiful harvests in late summer. Strawberries are also grown, with specific cultivars selected to withstand winter and produce fruit during the compressed growing window.
Cultivating Tree and Bush Fruits
Growing larger tree and bush fruits in Alaska is possible, but success demands ultra-hardy genetics. Sour cherries are considerably hardier than sweet varieties. Cultivars like ‘North Star’ and ‘Montmorency’ are recommended for survival in Zone 3 when grafted onto a cold-hardy rootstock. The bush-like ‘Nanking’ and ‘Carmine Jewel’ cherries are also frequently grown due to their ability to withstand extreme cold.
Apples require careful selection, focusing on short-season and cold-tolerant cultivars such as ‘Norland,’ ‘Parkland,’ and ‘Goodland.’ A successful apple tree relies on a cold-hardy rootstock, typically sourced from the Siberian crabapple (Malus baccata) or varieties like ‘Dolgo.’ This ensures the underground portion of the tree survives the severe winter temperatures, which is often the limiting factor.
Certain plums and apricots can be grown, limited to specific, early-ripening varieties like the Manchurian plum and Manchurian apricot. Propagated from seed, these varieties show variability in fruit quality and ripening time, but possess the necessary Zone 3 and 4 hardiness. Pears are the most challenging, with the Ussurian pear being the only type considered reliably winter-hardy in areas like Fairbanks and Anchorage.
Utilizing Unique Native Alaskan Varieties
Alaska is home to numerous endemic fruit species that are often foraged. Cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus) are prized native fruits, resembling a soft orange raspberry, that grow in bogs and moist tundra. These low-growing plants typically produce a single berry per stalk and are highly sought after for jams and preserves.
Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis) are found in the coastal forests of Southeast and Southcentral Alaska, growing on large, thorny bushes. They are hollow, like raspberries, and vary in color from yellow-orange to red. Crowberries (Empetrum nigrum) are another common native, forming low-trailing mats in alpine muskeg and tundra. Although less palatable raw due to their dry, bitter flavor, they are traditionally used in jams or cooked desserts.
Adapting to the Climate: Growing Techniques and Microclimates
Fruit production in Alaska relies heavily on modifying the growing environment and leveraging specific climatic advantages. The primary environmental factor is the long summer daylight, where plants receive up to 20 hours of intense light, which dramatically speeds up growth and ripening. This concentrated solar energy compensates for the short growing season.
Growers often utilize passive season extension techniques, such as high tunnels, which are unheated, plastic-covered structures. High tunnels capture solar energy, raising the air and soil temperatures inside by several degrees, effectively adding six to eight weeks to the growing season. This protection often determines whether a tree flowers and the fruit successfully ripens.
Strategic site selection is also important, with many successful orchards utilizing microclimates such as south-facing slopes or the south side of buildings to maximize sun exposure and warmth. Raised beds are commonly employed to allow for quicker soil warming in the spring, which aids root development and nutrient uptake in cold ground.