Spring approaches: NordGen's webshop opens on March 3
From March 3 at 8 am, the public will once again be able to order seeds and potato mini-tubers from the Nordic countries' joint genebank, NordGen. This year, the online offer includes seeds from a mallow variety collected in Denmark and the cabbage "Julikongen", which was introduced to the Norwegian market in 1933.
By sowing, cultivating and harvesting seeds from the Nordic seed collection, people interested in cultivation can contribute to keeping our common Nordic green heritage alive – and at the same time have access to different kinds of vegetables, cereals and ornamentals that can’t be found anywhere else.
“When NordGen's webshop opens for seed sales in March, there is always a huge rush from hobby growers to get their hands on the favorites. Even though this means a lot of work, it is also very nice to see that there is such an interest in old Nordic varieties,” says Lone Wennerlund who is responsible for packing and distributing the orders.
NordGen is the Nordic countries joint genebank and knowledge center for genetic resources. One of the organization's tasks is to conserve the Nordic seed collection that contains more than 33 000 seed samples of different crops. These seed samples are used by scientists and plant breeders to develop new plant varieties that are better adapted to climate change, have higher yields and can meet new consumer demands.
Increase the interest
To maintain the high quality of the seed collection, NordGen's cultivation team regularly grows plants from the collection in order to harvest new healthy seeds. The surplus from this regeneration is sold in the webshop with the main aim of increasing the general interest in the cultivation of old Nordic plant varieties. This year the webshop will contain more than 50 different seed samples and 13 potato varieties.
"Some customers may wonder why the webshop opening is delayed by two days this year. The reason is that March 1 falls on a Saturday, after regular office hours. We have decided to open on the following Monday morning to be able to deal with any questions or problems that may arise," says Josefin Granö, who is responsible for the webshop.
The webshop is available in Swedish for Nordic residents. Sales of seeds and potatoes will continue until May 31. The webshop is not a commercial operation, the seed sales only cover part of the costs for cultivation, seed laboratory, administration and distribution.
Five examples in NordGen's webshop 2025:
Root parsley ”Berliner Berla” (DK). Uniform, smooth and well-colored root parsley that gave high yield with good quality.
White cabbage ”Julikongen” (NO). This Norwegian variety was introduced to the market in 1933. Can be harvested in late summer/early autumn in southern Norway and as winter cabbage in the north.
Common mallow ”Kaleko Mølle GP0301” (DK). Beautiful perennial garden plant collected at Kaleko Mølle, Denmark's oldest water mill located on Funen.
Garden pea ”Gnesta favorit” (SE). Originates from the Gustavsson brothers' seed shop (1907-1971) in Gnesta, is stated to be a low/medium growing variety.
Potato ”Tammiston Aikainen” (FI). An early variety that was available in Finland until the 1960s, it is long-oval, yellow in the skin and has a firm texture after cooking. Also suitable for baking.