Wij Gardens

Ockelbo

6.000 habitants, about 140 miles north of Stockholm. Forests everywhere, occasional farms. Countryside, indeed. But Ockelbo has also been the home of several entrepreneurs. Creative people with bright ideas and daring minds.

One of them was rewarded with an enfeoffment in the 17th century

and started to build the small town. One of them started a plastic boat factory. In due time, a famous plastic boat factory. One of them started a snowmobile factory. In due time, a famous snowmobile factory. And if you visit Ockelbo, you will find hundreds of small signs telling you that this community still contains a great deal of entrepreneurs. A couple of them have masterminded the project that is called Wij Gardens.

So what is Wij Gardens?

Actually, it is a mission. A mission to put things into perspective.

Things as flowers, vegetables, trees, gardening, agriculture.

And, come to think of it, life as well. Wij Gardens exists only in Ockelbo, as a natural part of the surroundnings; the vegetation, and the people who live there. Nevertheless, it inspires visitors from near and far to create their own personal gardens.

- My vision of Wij Gardens is a huge workshop with life as material.

Those are the words of Lars Krantz, the well-reputed gardener and

garden architect who has taken on the giant task to make the Wij Gardens.

Wij Gardens is not an exhibition, nor a museum. And still a little of both.

We hope that our visitors will return from here a little bit wiser and a little bit more concerned about life and aswell, death too. Wij Gardens every season also present a various art exhibitions and concerts.

What can possibly grow in the middle of snowy Scandinavia? Just about anything. All you have to do is make it possible. If there is snow and coldness, you build a warm house. If there is darkness, you use artificial light. Simple as that.

However, a never ending project like Wij Gardens is bound to take time.

In fact, we do not expect it ever to be finished. The opening ceremony took place in 2002. In january 2006, a new academy course was established in Wij Gardens in co-operation with the University College of Gävle.

In Wij Trädgårdskök, the restaurant and café, there is a love

for what a garden can produce and that is the focus of the food here.
If you are looking for tools for your own garden project, we recommend the Wij Garden Shop. Here you will find carefully selected products for sale that will help you get a start on your very own garden. Even if just flowerpots give you enough inspiration, we promise that your balcony will not look the same after a visit to Wij Garden.

Opening hours

May 22th - May 30th Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 4pm

June 5ht - August 22th every day from 10am to 5pm.

August 28th - September 12th Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 4pm

Price: 95 SEK
Contact: info@wij.se  +46 297 554 20