No backyard gardens in Finland? This reason will surprise most Ukrainians

Finland is a country with a clean environment, vast land, and a deep love for nature. Vegetable gardens should thrive here, especially since the majority of the population lives in private houses.

However, finding a garden or greenhouse—even in the suburbs or deep in rural areas—is no easy task. That’s because Finns don’t cultivate gardens near their homes and don’t grow fresh herbs, cabbage, or cucumbers. And there are quite a few reasons for this.

Harsh climate and short summer

In Finland, growing vegetables is no simple task. The season is very short, there are few sunny days, and winter can last up to half a year. Frosts can happen as late as June and as early as September. Even in warm years, summer might be too rainy or, on the contrary, too dry.

Add to this the rocky or swampy soil, and it becomes clear: gardening here isn’t a pleasure, but a constant battle with nature. In many cases, soil has to be specially brought in, which means additional costs.

Finns also don’t want to bother with greenhouses because the lack of sunlight and warmth means all seedlings must be supported with electricity, which is very expensive.

Private house doesn’t mean 'garden beds'

Finns have a special attitude toward the home. A private plot is not a place for digging, but a zone of peace and relaxation. They see no reason to spend time and effort growing vegetables when everything they need can be bought at the store without much hassle.

Summer house without potatoes: what is mökki

Many Finns own summer cottages—mökki—where they spend time during the warm season. But even there, you’ll hardly find any gardens. People go there not to work, but to relax, swim in the lake, enjoy the sauna, and walk in the forest.

Alternative: community gardens

For those who do want to plant something, there are so-called allotment gardens—shared gardens in cities. People rent a small plot where they can grow vegetables without being tied to their place of residence. It’s a hobby, not a household necessity.

No vegetable gardens near homes in Finland (photo: flickr.com/ela72)

And where do Finns get fresh vegetables?

First, supermarkets: Finnish chains offer a steady supply of fresh vegetables, including vegetables of local production.

Second, there are farmers’ markets (torit), where farmers sell seasonal produce directly, often at higher prices, but quality is guaranteed.

Third, Finland has a system of boxed delivery of fresh vegetables right to the doorstep—convenience above all.

Farming is very well developed in Finland, and you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, and plants in large stores. For example, tomato and pepper seedlings are already bearing ripe fruit.

In summer, special kiosks are always near stores selling strawberries, cherries, green peas, honey, and dairy products. Buying a ready harvest is far more convenient than maintaining a garden, so Finnish yards usually have a neat lawn, grass, and flowers.

Another traditional Finnish habit is berry and mushroom picking. As long as the country has many forests, it has become a national sport, as nearly all Finns hunt for berries and mushrooms during the summer and fall.

Earlier, we wrote about the nine most beautiful countries where you’ll want to stay forever.

Sources: finland.fi, mdpi.com, reddit.com/r/Finland, k-ruoka.fi, lidl.fi.