If you happen to visit Fairbanks in the spring—more specifically, May 1 to mid-May, you may be fortunate enough to experience what interior Alaskans call “the greening. This phenomena is an amazing transformation from stark bare trees and bush branches to bright green sprouting leaves in an almost overnight transformation—hence, the greening. The hills change from snow topped into shades of green, trees and bushes come alive, brown matted grass turns green, and the entire landscapes changes almost overnight. With a sense of renewal, people begin cleaning up their yards, others take to the trails, local outdoor events begin to greet the long awaited summer months.
While spring leaves occur elsewhere, the sudden and stark difference with which the landscape transforms from snow piles to mud puddles then green stalks of birch and aspen trees is amazing. The quick transformation is yet another example of the extremes Alaskans thrive on.
After the long months of winter, locals eagerly flock to greenhouses in anticipation of our brief but beautiful growing season. With endless daylight for a few short months, gardeners can hardly wait to plant flowers and vegetable gardens, with some even daring to try out special species of fruit trees with a degree of success. General rule of thumb is no planting anything in the ground prior to June 1. I myself broke this rule one year and planted a very long bed of zinnias only to have a hard frost occur the last week of May which, of course quickly killed my plants from seed.
Signs of spring are quickly visible as local individuals and organizations begin a “clean up” of the roads and walking paths. Runners are able to access the many trails maintained by the city and borough public works as the snow and ice recede and conditions are far more favorable than during the winter months. Bikes, strollers and people out walking their dogs in neighborhoods are quite noticeable as people feel the warmth of the sun and lengthening of daylight. And of course, the annual return of geese to Creamer’s Field is yet another sign we are quickly headed to summer in the Interior.
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