Peter Svenson is passionate about the gardening profession
Jonsered Gardens is part of the green partnership that makes up Gothenburg Green World 2016. Here we present the man behind the gardens, Peter Svenson, who began his gardening career as an eight-year-old in Borås.
“When I was young I used to sow seeds behind our apartment block. People began calling me the little gardener, and I knew back then that this was a job that was made for me.”
Trained in Dingle
In 1981 Peter Svenson completed his training as a gardener in Dingle, which then led to a series of different gardening jobs.
“My first job was at Foss Church, which was close to where I studied, and I spent two seasons in the churchyard. I then had a series of jobs at various garden centres, which were very rewarding as you had access to an enormous store of knowledge covering thousands of plants.”
For almost 15 years Peter worked at a variety of nurseries. In 1998 his career would get a boost from an unexpected direction after he gave a talk at Mölnlycke garden centre.
“After a talk in Mölnlycke a journalist came over from Radio Sweden and asked if I would be interested in acting as a garden expert on radio. I grabbed the chance, and it turned out to be a fifteen-year-long assignment, which was very rewarding.”
Around the same time a vacancy came up for a gardener at the Garden Society of Gothenburg (Trädgårdsföreningen).
“My friends nagged me to apply for the position, so I sent in an application, which resulted in me getting the job.”
Peter worked at the garden society for just over seven years as head gardener. While there, he laid the foundations for the ecological park and a new way of working that led to the current workforce of five full-time employees and a number of seasonal employees.
From architectural firm to 19th-century garden
Some time around 2006 Peter’s gardening career took another new turn, this time with a job at a firm of architects.
“I really enjoyed working with the architects and I spent just over five years there. It’s unusual for an architectural firm to employ a gardener full-time, but it was a fantastic experience working with engineers and architects and being able to create complete solutions together, from gardens to buildings.”
But a little advertisement would bring another change. One day while Peter was glancing through the newspaper he spotted a small advertisement for staff for a café at Jonsered Manor. Peter, who had dreamed for years of having his own garden shop, saw an opportunity.
“I answered the advertisement and explained that I wanted to set up a garden shop. They were totally sold on the idea, and the same week they advertised for a gardener who could assist in restoring the manor’s former 19th century garden.”
Peter applied and got the job as gardener at Jonsered Gardens. After five years’ work the gardens were opened to the public, as a free interpretation of how the manor gardens may have once looked. Peter works here with a group of participants from the Municipality of Partille’s employment unit, who are gaining work experience to boost their chances of employment.
“Without their help we would never have been able to complete this massive task. Each day I am reminded of their drive and commitment.”
Commitment has been key factor
Peter is convinced that his own commitment was a key factor, and it was this that won him the “Green Pen Club” prize as Gardener of the Year in 2006. Three years ago he also published his own book on ecological gardening: “Ekologisk Trädgårdsgläjde”.
“In my opinion being a gardener is the best job in the world. I have never had a bad day at work and I am horrified when I see how training courses are closing down due to lack of interest in this fantastic profession. Thousands of new gardeners are needed each year, yet at the same time schools are closing because they are getting too few applications. But there is still interest from slightly older age groups, such as people who want a change in direction in mid-life. I’ve seen this trend throughout my professional life and I do everything I can to spread the good word about this incredible profession.”
Looking forward to this year’s guest exhibition
This year the guest gardener at Jonsered Gardens is no less than TV celebrity and garden expert Gunnel Carlson. In a retrospective exhibition Gunnel wants to highlight all the known and unknown gardening figures who have given their names to our most popular plants. Peter Svenson is looking forward to the opening of Gunnel’s exhibition.
Gunnel Carlson
“Gunnel is probably the warmest celebrity I know of in the world of gardening; she is unpretentious and incredibly committed. She has a real talent for engaging people in one of the world’s best professions and hobbies. We wish her a warm welcome to Jonsered Gardens this summer.”