Sol och vårad
Spring Gardening in Sweden: Challenges and Joys
Based on Rita och Jorma Enochsson, Höör
Frustrating Starts: Seed Germination Woes
Early spring can test even the most patient gardeners. This year, like so many before, our attempts with sunflower, zinnia, and aster seeds seemed doomed from the start—barely a sprout emerged. At first, we jokingly wondered whether the seed companies were plotting to nudge everyday flower-lovers like us into buying expensive, pre-grown plants later in the season. By the time Easter, the "flygaredan," and nearly Whitsun (pingst) rolled around, we were still waiting for a hint of color in the garden beds.
Determined not to be beaten, we relocated our precious seed trays indoors, finding them space in both kitchen and living room. There, we watered, watched, and finessed every variable we could control. We suspected that it was perhaps the fickle and uneven spring temperatures that punished both soil and seeds, holding back new life.
Surt! sa Gurkan
If we thought we had it bad, the professionals had it worse. One skilled gardener invested in 500 cucumber seeds from a reputable supplier at the steep price of 5 crowns each—only to see just three germinate!1 Disappointing results, to say the least, and evidence that this year’s finicky conditions haven’t spared anyone or any plant: tiger eyes marigolds, tagetes, and many others have faltered.
Tips, Favorites, and the Art of Patience
Impatience is inevitable, but most home gardeners can manage just fine without greenhouses or pricey plant purchases—so long as they have a few tricks up their sleeves, a willingness to consult those "in the know," and a little persistence.
Marigolds (Tagetes) remain a backyard staple. We love both large and small varieties—though our attempt at pre-cultivating Tiger Eyes failed this year. Golden Gem proved to be a robust and unruly option perfect for informal hedges. For a kitchen garden twist, try the edible tagetes bred by Swedish horticulturalists at Hammenhögs; their cheerful petals brighten up salads, sauces, and stews, making them a must in pots by the kitchen door.
Once the dishes are done, why not check in on the stately Toothpick Lily? This impressively unruly and bushy plant adds drama and presence to the border—certainly worth a try for any experimenting gardener.
Sunflowers: The Happiest Flower
Sunflowers are among the most rewarding crops to grow—hardy, quick to sprout (in a good year), and magnificent at their peak. We’ve dedicated a whole section of our website to their history and cultural significance, highlighting their appearances in art, literature, and even religion. In Kansas, the sunflower is so beloved it’s been the center of state celebrations, and some choose to have sunflowers engraved on their graves.
Sunflowers aren’t limited to yellow—white, vanilla, and red blooms abound. Dwarf varieties barely reach 20 cm, while giants can soar past 3 meters; record-holders have touched 6-7 meters in Holland, and in Canada, a remarkable 82 cm flower diameter was documented. For guidance and inspiration, we recommend Solrosboken by Lucy Peel (now available in Swedish), an excellent resource for everyone dreaming of their own little "Provence" of sunflowers.
Wild Spring in the Swedish Landscape
It’s been a joy to see the bluebells (blåsippor) reappear, and, as ever, lily-of-the-valley (liljekonvaljer) snipped from the local woods by Malmö locals eager for a tax-free sale at Möllevångstorget.
Birdsong and Båtgång: Nature’s Pulse
Certain rites of Swedish spring remain unchanged. The cuckoo calls and the nightingale sings in the beech forests around Ringsjön—if not quite in their traditional spots. Recent changes reminded us of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring: so-called "forest management measures" seem more about profits than conservation, and they’re leaving a mark. It’s worrying to hear reports of dwindling sparrow populations and fewer small birds, echoing broader concerns about biodiversity loss.
Not all is lost, however. Wasps and mosquitoes, those perennial nuisances, persist undaunted. On Ascension Day, we were paid a visit in the garden by the biggest hornet (bålgeting) we’ve ever seen—impressive in size but, as always, rather gentle in demeanor.
A Glimpse of Beechwoods
Hoping for Better Days
Despite the early setbacks and ongoing challenges, we remain hopeful—trusting that hard work, ingenuity, and a bit of learning from each other will reward us with a summer bursting with flowers and sunlight. The setbacks are part of the journey, and every success in the Swedish garden feels all the more precious for it.
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