Early spring impacts peony growers

Peonies are a growing Alaska export. In 2015, peony growers shipped more than 50,000 stems from Alaska, and Gov. Bill Walker recently declared July to be Alaska Peony Month for the second year in a row. But this year farmers were taken by surprise when the Alaska peony season came early.Peonies need to be kept in coolers just above freezing in order to keep the buds closed for shipping. (Photo by Casey Marsh, KBBI – Homer)Alaska’s cool summer weather allows peonies to grow during a t