GARDENING
Spring is often considered the most exciting season for gardeners, yet the
experience of gardening can be very different depending on the climate. In
northern countries such as Finland, February and March are usually still cold
and snowy, while in milder countries such as England, the first clear signs of
spring often appear much earlier. Comparing these two regions shows how
strongly climate influences gardening activities, plant choices, and even
garden design.
In Finland,
late winter often means frozen ground and thick snow cover. Gardens seem to be asleep, but in
reality, the gardening season has already begun—just indoors. February is a
time for careful planning. Gardeners order seeds, design planting plans, repair tools, and
clean pots. Because the Finnish growing season is short but intense,
preparation is essential.
Many people start sowing
vegetables such as tomatoes, chili peppers, and celery under grow lights to
give them a long enough growing period. Greenhouses are also very popular in
Finland, as they help extend the season and protect plants from cold
temperatures.
As March
arrives, the days become noticeably longer in the north. The increasing daylight
supports seedlings
growing indoors. On milder days, gardeners may prune fruit trees or gently remove heavy snow from
branches to prevent damage. Although it is still too early for most outdoor
planting, hardy vegetables and flowers are carefully planned so that they can
be sown as soon as the soil warms up. When spring finally arrives, Finnish
gardeners must work efficiently to make the most of the long summer days, when
there is almost continuous
light.
In England,
the situation is quite different. Winters are generally milder, and the soil rarely stays frozen
for long. Snow is less common and usually disappears quickly. As a result,
gardeners can often begin outdoor work earlier. In February or March, they may
prepare flower beds,
prune roses, and plant hardy vegetables directly into the ground. Flowers such
as daffodils and
crocuses often bloom
early, bringing color to the landscape while Finnish gardens are still covered
in snow.
The climate
also influences the types of gardens that are common in each country. In
Finland, many people grow practical kitchen gardens with fast-growing vegetables
such as potatoes, carrots, onions, and lettuce. Berries—especially
strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackcurrants—are extremely popular. Gardeners
often choose hardy perennials and native plants that can survive long winters.
In England,
the milder climate allows for a wider variety of garden styles. Traditional cottage gardens are
well known for their colorful mix of flowers, herbs, and vegetables growing
closely together. Formal gardens with carefully shaped hedges and lawns are also common, as well
as large landscape gardens surrounding historic houses. Roses, lavender, foxgloves, and climbing
plants grow particularly well. Apples are among the most popular fruits, and
many gardens include at least one apple tree.
Europe is
also home to some of the most famous gardens in the world. The impressive gardens of the
Palace of Versailles in France are admired for their symmetry and fountains. In England,
the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew are internationally respected for their
scientific research and plant collections. Meanwhile, Keukenhof in the
Netherlands attracts millions of visitors every spring with its spectacular tulip
displays. These examples show that gardening can be both an art form and a
scientific discipline.
Beyond
practical and aesthetic aspects, gardening plays an important role in mental
well-being. Working with plants reduces stress, improves concentration, and
creates a sense of calm. Caring for a garden gives people a feeling of purpose
and connection to nature. There is a famous saying, often attributed to the
writer Voltaire: “We must cultivate
our garden.” In his novel Candide, this phrase suggests that people
should focus on meaningful,
constructive tasks in their own lives. Some gardeners even say, half-jokingly, that
nothing in life is truly important except gardening. Although this is clearly
an exaggeration, it
expresses how deeply gardening can influence emotional balance and personal
happiness.
In
conclusion, gardening in Finland requires patience, careful planning, and quick
action during a short but bright growing season. Gardening in England benefits
from a milder climate and a longer period of outdoor activity. Yet despite
these differences, gardeners in both countries share the same dedication and passion.
Whether tending seedlings indoors during a snowy February in Finland or
planting flowers outdoors in an English March, gardening connects people to
nature, to tradition, and to themselves.
- · snow cover
- · seed
- · seedling
- · sow
- · essential
- · prune
- · increasingly
- · continuous
- · soil
- · flower bed
- · daffodil
- · bloom
- · fast-growing
- · blackcurrant
- · wider variety
- · impressive
- · hedge
- · meaningful
- · fountain
- · foxgloves
- · spectacular
- · cultivate
- · half-jokingly
- · exaggeration
- · dedication
