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Climate
Finland is located between the 60th and 70th latitudes. Plant production is possible due to the Gulf Stream, which causes the temperatures in Finland to be 3-4 °C higher than usually in these latitudes in other parts of the world. The location in the coastal zone of the Eurasian continent shows characteristics of both maritime and continental climate. The wind blows most commonly from the southwest.

Finland is about 1100 km long from south to north, and climatic conditions vary considerably. The mean annual temperature is about 4.5-5.0 °C in southwestern Finland, decreasing towards the northeast. The 0 °C limit of the annual mean runs south of the Arctic Circle. The length of the growing season ranges from 180 days in south to 120 days in north. The annual rainfall in southern and central Finland ranges between 600 and 700 mm and is slightly lower on the coast. In northern Finland, where about half of the rain falls as snow, the annual rainfall is 400-500 mm.
The ground is covered with snow for approximately 3-5 months in the south and up to 7 months in the north, with an average snow depth of 20-80 cm. The lakes are frozen during six months of the year.

Geography
Most of the country is a gently undulating plateau of worn bedrock and boreal forests, presenting a mixture of wooded hills and waters. Forests cover 68% of the total area of 338,144 km2, lakes and rivers 10% and agricultural land 8%. Most of the country is lowland, the average height above sea level being less than 150 m. High rounded fells form the landscape in the most northerly part of the country, Finnish Lapland. Gulfs of sea (the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland) surround the country in south and west.

Clay soils dominate the southern and southwestern part of Finland. Organic and sandy soils become more common towards the eastern and northern part of the country. In southern Finland the percentage of soil types, suitable for horticultural production, is 15-30% (5-20% sandy soils and 10% organic).

Horticulture
Finland is one of the northernmost countries producing significant quantities of horticultural products. Many fields of horticultural production are found: greenhouse cultivation of flowers and vegetables, berry and fruit growing, field vegetable production and nursery production. In addition, landscaping business is an important sector. Winter period with low temperatures helps in controlling pests and diseases, and the usage of pesticides is low compared to more southern locations. Long summer days partly compensate the shortness of the growing season. Demanding conditions have led to highly developed technology and professional skill of the growers.

Horticultural production is practiced almost throughout the country, but the most important production areas are in the southern and central part of Finland. Greenhouse production is concentrated in southern Finland (Varsinais-Suomi, Kymenlaakso and Uusimaa) and on the western coast. The largest area of field vegetable production is in the southwestern part of Finland where the growing season is longest. Other important production areas are found near the southern coast (Uusimaa) and in central Finland (Häme and Mikkeli region). Apple is produced in the southwestern part of the country and in the Archipelago of Ahvenanmaa. Berry production is concentrated in southern and eastern Finland, and nursery production in the southern part of the country.

Distribution of Horticulture
Horticultural production is practiced almost throughout the country, but the most important production areas are in the southern and central part of Finland. Greenhouse production is concentrated in southern Finland (Varsinais-Suomi, Kymenlaakso and Uusimaa) and on the western coast. The largest area of field vegetable production is in the southwestern part of Finland where the growing season is longest. Other important production areas are found near the southern coast (Uusimaa) and in central Finland (Häme and Mikkeli region). Apple is produced in the southwestern part of the country and in the Archipelago of Ahvenanmaa. Berry production is concentrated in southern and eastern Finland, and nursery production in the southern part of the country.

Research Thrusts
The major research thrust is the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Grower's Organisations and several private enterprises have scientific programs on horticultural research.

Nature of Institutes
Horticultural research activity in Finland is mainly carried out by the MTT Agrifood Research Finland and the University of Helsinki.
At MTT Horticulture biological bases of horticultural production are studied for ecologically and economically sustainable cropping methods in food and non-food production. The Plant Production Research, Horticulture has research activities at two localities in Finland, in Piikkiö and Laukaa.
Horticultural research is directed to:
- growth and storage techniques for horticultural crops,
- year-round cultivation of greenhouse crops,
- environmental effects of production,
- production techniques for plant propagation material,
- modelling plant growth and production, and adapting the models to actual use,
- integrated and biological plant protection,
- breeding new cultivars of berries and apples,
At the University of Helsinki, Department of Plant Production, Horticulture the main areas of horticultural studies are:
- effects of growth factors, especially light intensity and quality in protected cultivation,
- stress physiology; cold hardiness, stresses in urban vegetation, methods for screening stress tolerant cultivars,
- nutritional status and the growth and quality of edible crops,
- post-harvest physiology,
- human aspects in horticulture.

Organisations / Institutes:
MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Resource Management Research
MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Plant Production Research Unit
MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Regional Research
Research Station of Åland
University of Helsinki
University of Joensuu
University of Jyväskylä
University of Oulu
University of Turku

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