Agriculture in the state of Alaska is unique and diverse. The state’s climate and geography allow for a wide variety of crops and livestock to be raised.
Agriculture is an important part of the state’s economy, providing jobs for many Alaskans.
The state’s cool, moist climate is ideal for raising berries, apples, potatoes, melons, dry beans, and grain. The long days of summer provide ample sunlight for these crops to grow.
Farmers in Alaska also raise hay and grain for livestock feed. Livestock farming is also an important part of agriculture in Alaska.
Fishing is another major part of Alaska’s agricultural industry.
Salmon, halibut, cod, and other fish are caught in the state’s waters and sold fresh or frozen to markets around the world.
Plant Hardiness Zones for Alaska
Now, it’s time to take a look at the US Plant Hardiness Zone Map of the state.
Plant Hardiness Zone Map For Alaska
Climate
Alaskan mean annual temperatures range from the low 40s in the south to 10° F along the arctic slope north of the Brooks Mountain Range.
In winter, the minimum temperature drops down to -20˚ to -30˚F.
Precipitation
The annual average rainfall amounts to over 200 inches in the southeastern part to around 150 inches along the northern coast of the Gulf of Alaska.
Amounts decrease to near 60 inches on the southern side of the Alaska Range in the Alaskan Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands sections.
Soil Type
Now, let us see the soil distribution in the state.
Land Resource Map For Alaska
Now, let us understand this with the help of a table
Soil Order Of Alaska
| Soil Type | Location | Characterstics |
|---|---|---|
| Entisols | On flood plains and outwash plains, on uplands adjacent to major rivers, in other young material such as recently exposed glacial moraines and very cold or very steep areas. | 1. Wet mineral soils. 2. Have no diagnostic horizons other than an ochric epipedon |
| Histosols | Southern Alaska | 1. Made up of organic material. |
| Inceptisols | Found everywhere except southeastern Alaska, the south-central Alaska mountains, and the Cook Inlet-Susitna | 1. Have an umbric and mollic epipedon with a cambic horizon 2. Poorly drained soils with permanent frost |
| Mollisols | Mostly in Tundra areas but a few occur on calcareous or nonacid material in forested regions | 1. Have a mollic epipedon with no underlying horizon dominated by ashy material. 2. Base saturation more than 50%. 3. Have a wide range in drainage conditions and texture. |
| Spodosols | Common in forested areas of southeastern Alaska, south-central Alaska mountains, Cook Inlet-Susitna Lowland, and Kuskokwim Highlands | 1. Have a surface mat of organic matter 2. The amounts of organic carbon, aluminum, and iron are accumulated in the spodic horizon |
