Jord under naglarna

Swedish Garden Literature and Context in 1999

The year 1999 was a dynamic period for Swedish gardening, marked by both innovation and a renewed interest in tradition. Personal garden writing—like Ulrika’s—became increasingly popular, complementing more classic handbooks and cultural reflections. The narrative style blends anecdotes about daily life, such as the challenge of waiting for the long northern winter to end and the joy of seeing the first signs of spring, with concrete tips and experiments from the garden bench.

Ulrika Wiss's February Reflections

Ulrika writes:
> Vintern ger sig inte så lätt här uppe - det är fortfarande 3 - 4 månader kvar innan jag får se en skymt jord under snön.
> ...Men det är ändå nu i februari som man börjar få de första svaga påminnelserna om våren.
> En talgoxe som sjunger i en björk, eller en pust av fuktig mild luft...

These evocative glimpses of light returning and birdsong capture the patient hopefulness familiar to so many northern gardeners. The changing daylight—being able to drive home in the light after work—frames her longing for the gardening season, as she flips through garden books during the commute from Luleå to Vibbyn. The anticipation and careful planning she describes, as she inspects her pre-sown seeds each day, is instantly recognizable to gardeners everywhere.

Seed-Starting and Experimentation

Early indoor seed-starting is essential in these latitudes. Ulrika describes experimenting with different methods—like using a self-watering tray with styrofoam cells—and admits her “material sports” tendencies as she tries out new gadgets for onion cultivation. Her ambition is clear:
> Ska det fröodlas lök ska det göras ordentligt!

Here, she reflects the growing trend in Sweden of combining reliable "trotjänare" (mainstays) like broccoli and beetroot with curiosity-driven attempts at the new or unusual—such as vildtomat, mariatistel, rankspenat, and fikonbladspumpa. The inclusion of vildtomat (see image below), for example, taps into a broader late-90s movement of seeking out heirloom and wild varieties as an antidote to standardized commercial seeds and flavors.

Vildtomat

Seed-Saving and Community

A particularly significant note is the author's new membership in SESAM, Sweden’s association for seed-saving and heritage varieties, and her excitement at receiving "Petit Pois" pea seeds and “Härjedalsk skålrova.” This focus on preserving diversity and local varieties aligned with environmental and sustainability movements, which were gaining ground in Swedish gardening discourse at the time. Ulrika's mention of trying to save her own pea seeds highlights both the practical and cultural importance attached to these practices.

Her story, which also touches on hopes and potential disappointments (“den dagen den sorgen!”), makes room for both success and failure—a hallmark of honest, inviting garden writing.

Extended Reading and Inspiration

Ulrika’s literary, slightly playful tone fits well among the notable garden books of the era—such as Karin Berglund's Med fingrarna i jorden, which combined personal essay with photographic art and reflected the genre's expansion into more reflective and narrative spaces. Readers who appreciate Ulrika’s mix of practical tips and stories might also enjoy inspirational essays like Sabotage, which explores the unexpected joys and frustrations of the gardening life.

Lasting Relevance

Even today, Ulrika’s reflections resonate:
> Men än så länge är sommarens trädgårdsland bara en avlägsen dröm, och litet såjord under naglarna…

This kind of writing stands as more than a historical curiosity. It documents both the knowledge and emotion of Swedish gardening around 1999—a blend of hands-in-the-dirt practicality and deep seasonal awareness, rooted in place but open to new ideas and connections.

The evolution of Swedish garden literature since then continues to be shaped by voices like Ulrika's—curious, reflective, and full of anticipation every time a new gardening year begins.