Vårdagjämning

Reflections on Ulrika Wiss’s Diary: Onsdagen den 24 mars 1999

Welcoming Spring in Northern Sweden

Ulrika Wiss’s diary entry from Wednesday, March 24, 1999, set in the small village of Vibbyn, Norrbotten, offers a heartfelt window into the rhythms of northern Swedish life as winter finally loosens its grip. With the vernal equinox (vårdagjämningen) freshly behind her, Ulrika delights in the new influx of daylight—a shift eagerly anticipated in these northern latitudes. The environment transforms: sunlight sparkles across the lingering snow, icicles drip as they melt from the eaves, and though hefty lumps of snow still tumble off rooftops now and then, the air feels infused with hope.

Spring’s arrival sets a familiar, lively chaos into motion for Ulrika and many gardeners across the region. She’s busy planting trays of onions, both yellow and red, squeezing them into every available spot in her garage. The annual puzzle of seedling logistics—finding room for all those trays and perhaps adding shelves by the windows—resonates as a cheerful rite of spring in northern homes.

Organizing and Preparing for a New Season

A noteworthy part of Ulrika’s preparations is the careful organization of her seeds. Taking inspiration from responses on the ‘odla’ gardening forum, she stores her seeds in the refrigerator using brightly colored containers: yellow for onions, blue for cabbage, green for leafy things, orange for herbs. This not only keeps her seeds in perfect order but also lifts her spirits and ensures a quick overview for planning future sowings. Though tempted to jump ahead and start with artichokes and milk thistle, she wisely holds back, understanding that in the harsh northern climate, patience is a necessity—those will have to wait for even warmer days, likely late April or May.

On the heels of the equinox, Ulrika’s optimism for cultivating outdoors reignites. She sets her sights on creating varmbänkar (hotbeds) by mid-April—an ingenious way to start plants early in the brief northern spring. Not only do these outdoor hotbeds produce sturdier plants, but they also give her garage some much-needed breathing room. She confesses her earlier skepticism about hotbeds—that they were useless until the snow disappeared completely—only to discover last year that clearing the snow beside a warm wall was perfectly manageable. Buoyed by success, she now plans an upgrade from last year’s simple plywood-and-plastic setup.

Shared Joys and Growing Community

Through her vivid, warm narration, Ulrika weaves together the communal experience of northern gardening: the anticipation, constraints, and peculiar joys brought by a long-awaited spring. The shared challenges—limited space, fleeting time between thaw and planting, and the persistent snow—bind together a unique community of gardeners who make the absolute most out of every moment of sunshine.

For those interested in further reflections on the cycles of the northern year, Sensommarvärmen offers an evocative look at the bounty and warmth of late summer—a time distant but deeply yearned for when standing on the threshold of spring.

Practical Takeaways

• Use color-coded containers in the refrigerator to neatly organize seeds.
• Consider starting hotbeds outdoors in mid-April, even if snow lingers—clearing snow by a warm wall makes it possible.
• Young plants raised outdoors tend to be hardier than those raised indoors.
• Accept and share the cheerful chaos of seedling trays and makeshift shelves each year.

A Season of Hope and Renewal

Ulrika Wiss’s diary entry vibrantly encapsulates the sense of anticipation, resilience, and shared triumph that defines spring at northern latitudes. Her practical insights and genuine, hopeful tone celebrate both the hardships and the deep joys of gardening in Norrbotten, cherishing every ray of the returning sun. The entry stands as a testament to the power of community and perseverance in the face of nature’s cycles.