Georgeson Botanical Garden

Georgeson Botanical Garden is a botanical garden on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus covering about five acres. It contains over 3,000 varieties of flowers, vegetables, and herbs that are specially adapted to northern climates and sits on a slope below the university.

Charles Christian Georgeson founded the garden during the Gold Rush era while working as a USDA Special Agent researching agricultural possibilities in Alaska. His early work established the foundation for scientific study of vegetable growing in arctic and subarctic regions.

The garden demonstrates how people in far northern regions grow food and ornamental plants, showing techniques adapted to extreme seasonal changes. Visitors can see what thrives in such challenging conditions and how local gardeners work with the brief growing season.

The garden is open from May through September during daylight hours, with guided tours available throughout the season. Visitors should bring warm clothing since temperatures remain cool even in summer, and sturdy footwear is helpful for walking the sloped terrain.

Cabbages grown here can weigh up to 45 pounds due to the extended daylight hours during the growing season in this part of Alaska. This remarkable growth happens because the midnight sun provides nearly continuous sunlight for months.

Location: Alaska

Website: https://georgesonbotanicalgarden.org

GPS coordinates: 64.85610,-147.85900

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:22