No sitting in Sitka... part 2

Natureman and I first stopped in the Sitka visitor center as there was a room set up just for our Master Gardener group. The local Master Gardeners had arranged a local garden tour and we enjoyed learning about their projects and growing challenges due to their Alaskan climate.

Russian Bishop's House

Since we had time before meeting our bus tour to the rainforest, we visited the first garden tour stop where we were greeted by Master Gardeners dressed as early settlers and a cup of tea.  The Russian Bishop’s House (1842) is one of only four surviving examples of Russian colonial architecture in North America. Built for Russian Orthodox Bishop Veniaminov it served as his residence, later as a school, seminary and orphanage. The building has been restored to its original appearance and houses many original furnishings and icons. Inside the Bishop's home we also learned of Sitka's history and its settlers.  Sitka is dependent upon its fishing industry and tourism.

A couple churches had vegetable gardens on their property. Their produce is sold at open air markets to encourage buying local and paying much less. You can imagine how much transportation costs add on to the cost of food in these isolated cities. It all has to be brought in by boat/seaplanes.

What really hit me was the intensity of the plant colors.  

The monies earned from market sales went back into the garden for future plantings.



Volunteers help maintain these public gardens. Some Master Gardeners and other community members.

Attractive creative plantings are always a welcomed addition to any garden.




We discovered this plaque as we reached one end of downtown -

The community obviously appreciates its gardeners.

 

 There were surprise plantings throughout the downtown area. Sitka is charming to say the least...

Hopefully you'll check back as the next entry will be our hike through the Tongass National Park.