Discovering the Yellow Fields of Southern Sweden

Our home region in Southern Sweden suddenly became stunningly colourful, sunny and warm. It feels like everything changed in just about a week and we are enjoying nature at it’s best. We brought out our camera gear as well as our motorcycle, and drove through the countryside in Småland down towards Kalmar County where we found an amazing spot to capture the yellow fields. It is in the month of May that you can find the yellow canola fields, also known as rapefields, in Sweden. The vibrant yellow fields are a breathtaking sight and can be found all over Skåne County as well as other parts of Sweden like Småland and Blekinge county.

A perfect place to capture the yellow fields in Kalmar County in May, 2024.

Canola and rapeseed come from the same plant family but differ in oil content and use. Canola, a variety of rapeseed, is bred to have lower levels of erucic acid, making it suitable for cooking oil.

• Blooming Season: The fields typically bloom from late April to early June. The exact timing can vary based on weather conditions.

• Uses: Canola oil is used in cooking, while the plants are also processed for biodiesel and animal feed.

• Pollination: Canola flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. These fields support local bee populations, contributing to biodiversity.

• Crop Rotation: Canola is often part of a crop rotation system, which helps maintain soil health and reduces pest problems.

  What You Can Do:

  • Photography: The fields provide a stunning backdrop for photos. Early morning or late afternoon light is perfect for capturing the vibrant yellow against the blue sky.

  • Walking Tours: Some areas have designated paths where you can walk and enjoy the scenery without disturbing the crops.

  • Learn About Farming: Some farms offer tours or have information signs explaining the process of growing canola and its uses.

  • Picnics: Enjoy a picnic near the fields, but make sure to stay on the edges to avoid damaging the plants

    
    What You Shouldn’t Do:

  • Don't Enter the Fields: Walking through the fields can damage the crops and disrupt the farmer's livelihood.

  • Avoid Picking Flowers: Picking flowers harms the plants and can affect the overall health of the field.

  • Respect Private Property: Many fields are on private land. Always seek permission if you are unsure about access.

Canola flower fields

You can find fields like these in Halltorp and surrounding areas in Kalmar and Småland County and they are becoming more common the past years.

Colours and Birds

The contrasts in colours together with birds singing and big trees makes it an amazing scenery to experience.

Swedish Houses

This part of Sweden has a lot of traditional houses with the typical "Falu" red colour that you can see in the background.

Golden Hour

We are also surrounded by canola fields close to our home and they are magic as the sun sets around 9.20 in the evening.

Fun Facts about Canola

• Name Origin: The name "canola" comes from "Canadian oil, low acid," reflecting its origins and lower erucic acid content compared to traditional rapeseed.

• Nutritional Benefits: Canola oil is praised for its health benefits, being low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids.

• Global Production: While Sweden produces canola, it is also a major crop in countries like Canada, China, and Germany.

Visiting Sweden in Spring Season

Spring is a beautiful season to visit Sweden when the landscape undergoes a dramatic transformation with vibrant greens replacing the winter grey. The month of May is when everything comes alive again and you can enjoy longer days and warmer temperatures, especially in the southern part of Sweden. This time is also less busy than the summer months of June and July when locals normally have vacation and the country gets more tourists from other parts of the world.

We will share more of our home country in our blog - so don’t forget to bookmark or subscribe to get updates about new blog posts.

Happy Spring greetings!

/Seen by Veen

We were not the only ones enjoying the clear blue sky and a new spring season of Sweden.