Krönika från norr

Northern Swedish Gardening – Breaking the Boundaries

Elsa Rensfeldt Larsson’s Krönika från norr - april 2004 is a vivid and personal account of what it means to be a gardener in Norrbotten, in Sweden’s far north. She opens by acknowledging the ever-present snowdrifts—“än så är det långt till vår”—but notes how spring’s intensified sunlight is already transforming the landscape. The snow, once soft and fluffy, turns into a coarse, salt-like texture under the strengthening sun, promising a rapid melt when the real spring surge arrives.

With sparkling days and evenings beginning to offer that famed northern light, the unique rhythm of spring in the north becomes apparent. “Det känns bra att vara på väg mot ljus dygnet runt,” she writes, highlighting how endless daylight not only brings beauty and late-night practicality but also enables northern gardeners to “hämta in försprånget” that southerners have at the start of the season. There is a deep sense of fairness the climate provides—the north may wait for warmth, but it makes up for it with light.

More Than Waiting for Snowmelt

While others may suspect something odd about those who retreat to their basements as the sun shines, for Elsa, it’s a signal that the gardening year truly begins. Trays of seedlings—“bytta efter bytta”—are carried down to the cool underglow of fluorescent lights. In these hidden corners, for those living in climate zones 5-8, both spring and summer are born long before they reach the garden outside.

Challenging Southern Prejudices

A recurring theme in the chronicle is frustration with what Elsa calls the “trädgårdsmaffian i syd”—the southern gardening establishment who underestimate, or even misrepresent, what is possible to grow in the north. She points out a persistent problem: many experts and seed suppliers describe the hardiness of plants too conservatively, discouraging northern gardeners by saying that certain varieties "don’t work here." In reality, many in the north have what she calls “zonknäckare”—plants that supposedly shouldn’t survive but do, year after year.

Myths and Realities

Elsa actively seeks out these prejudiced statements—“letar jag surmulet, upproriskt och förföljelsemaniskt efter detta elaka förtal”—and rarely comes up empty-handed. Myths abound: “Det går inte att odla lök i norr, kronärtskockan hinner inte bli klar i norr... Man måste odla squasch i växthus och broccoli under fiberväv, franskt kungsljus klarar sig inte i Norrbotten, styvmorsviolen är sällsynt i norr...” Yet Elsa, a self-described amateur, has grown all these plants successfully in the open ground, without special covers or greenhouses, and recalls fields of wild pansies stretching blue “som havet”.

“We Don’t Tell Our Plants They’re in Zone Seven”

She finds inspiration in Lappmarkens trädgårdssällskap’s chairperson, whose memorable declaration—“Vi brukar inte tala om för våra växter att de är planterade i zon sju”—captures the stubborn optimism and resolve of northern growers.

The Special Character of Northern Gardening

Elsa’s humor and honesty shine through the krönika, as does her determination to give a more accurate, hopeful picture of gardening in the far north. As she prepares for another season under the Arctic sun, Elsa’s writing invites us to question assumptions, experiment boldly, and celebrate the special character of the northern year—a place where, as seen in images like these, spring and summer, though late to arrive, unfold in a blaze of unexpected growth and color.

Conclusion

In summary, Krönika från norr – april 2004 is not just a personal reflection on gardening, but also a call to recognize the opportunities and exceptional qualities of northern Swedish horticulture. By challenging outdated dogmas and sharing real experiences, Elsa Rensfeldt Larsson encourages both local gardeners and the wider gardening community to see—and believe in—the true potential of the north.