Puutarhat

Puutarhat (Finnish for “gardens”) refer to cultivated spaces designed for the growth of plants, ornamental flowerbeds, vegetable patches, and recreational landscapes. In Finland, gardens have historically served both functional and aesthetic purposes, reflecting the country’s climatic conditions and cultural traditions. The limited growing season, with long daylight in summer and harsh winters, has shaped garden practices such as the use of cold‑frame structures, raised beds, and seasonal planting schedules.

Typical Finnish garden types include residential backyard gardens, community allotments, and public park gardens. Residential gardens often combine flower borders with kitchen gardens, employing hardy perennials like lupins, peonies, and roses that can survive frosty winters. Community allotments, known as “kasvutilat,” provide urban residents with plots for growing vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and cabbages, fostering local food production and social interaction.

Public gardens and parklands, managed by municipalities, showcase native flora and serve as venues for cultural events, festivals, and education. Notable examples are the Helsinki Botanical Garden and the Turku Botanical Garden, which preserve plant collections and support scientific research. Finnish garden design emphasizes simplicity, natural materials, and integration with surrounding landscapes, often incorporating elements such as stone pathways, wood benches, and water features.

In recent decades, sustainable practices have gained prominence, with increasing use of composting, rainwater harvesting, and organic pest control. Gardeners also adopt biodiversity‑friendly approaches, planting pollinator‑attracting species and maintaining habitat corridors. Overall, puutarhat reflect a blend of practicality, environmental stewardship, and cultural expression within the Finnish context.