With many selecting a small spruce to be called their Christmas tree around now (here are some rules on how to do it legally in Latvia), LSM offers an interesting read about spruce in Latvia.
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A survey conducted by Baltic International Bank (BIB) shows that half of the population of Latvia would be ready to purchase essential food from local producers for a slightly higher price, Latvian Radio reported August 31.
The arrival of fall in Latvia will be associated not only of the start of the academic year, chilly mornings or the chromatic burst of foliage, but also of gladioli (sword-lilies), the pride of many a gardener and an essential for any flower-stand man (or woman).
The sweet-smelling yellow fruit of the flowering quince are a sour treat that's rich in vitamin C. The fruit usually ripen from mid-September to mid-October in these latitudes. Often used as a decorative shrub, this plant arrived in Latvia by mistake in the Soviet era but has now become a minor source of pride, seeing as not many countries have advanced creative uses of the flowering quince.
Dahlias are a lush and exotic flower that heralds the fall in Latvia, in bloom from July to the first frosty days. Dahlia expert Aivars Baroniņš told LSM about different kinds of dahlias, as well as plant's impressive stalks, the color of the flowers and how to protect them from the wind.
More and more Latvians have added pumpkins (or squash, or gourds – Latvian doesn't differentiate between the three) to their menu over the past twenty years. These vegetables, which are technically fruit, or berries, come in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes, and contain lots of vitamins A, B, C, and E. It is one of the few cultivated plants that can be used in its entirety, with the skin, the seeds and the pulp being edible. Pumpkin specialist and collectioneuse Saiva Pekuse spoke to LSM about this wonderful plant.
Growing grapevines has become increasingly popular in Latvia, with foliage covering buildings even in Rīga. In these latitudes, harvests usually arrive in mid-September.
Spruce trees are often considered to be wild through and through, but it is a lesser-known fact that humans, too, have selected the tree. In Western Europe, spruces have been bred for at least 200 years, and some advances have been made in Latvia as well. Linda Stode, a leading specialist at the National Botanical Garden, told LSM about the local Dundanga variety and about the tallest and greatest spruces of Latvia.
Lingonberries grow best in the wild, mostly in somewhat shady pine forests. Dense foliage reduces the berries. Deforested places in Europe seldom see good lingonberry crops, leading some to cultivate this healthy plant in their gardens. In Latvia, many still take to the forests to pick lingonberries, but there are enthusiasts who try to grow their own. Alfreds Ripa is a plant breeder and has authored a book as well as a new variety of lingonberries. He spoke to LSM about growing these plants in the garden.
Latvians like to think they are more in tune with the seasons than most, and there may be something to it. With that in mind, we'll be guiding you through the next few months with this series on some of the plants you can encounter from summer onwards, how and where they grow, with expert advice.
Latvians like to think they are more in tune with the seasons than most, and there may be something to it. With that in mind, we'll be guiding you through the next few months with this series on some of the plants you can encounter from summer onwards, how and where they grow, with expert advice.
Latvians like to think they are more in tune with the seasons than most, and there may be something to it. With that in mind, we'll be guiding you through the next few months with this series on some of the plants you can encounter from summer onwards, how and where they grow, with expert advice.
Greenhouse azaleas or Sim's azaleas bloom during the coldest and darkest time of the year. The early breeds flower as early as October, but most of them are in bloom from February to April. Right now, the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia is bursting with color, which is however off-limits to spectators due to the virus situation. What remains is observing the plants in pictures and learn more about the flourishing of azalea culture in Latvia from the experts, in this case Skaidrīte Matisone, who's in charge of the azaleas at said garden.
A study conducted by the University of Latvia shows that Latvian society is more likely to have negative prejudices against Roma people, Africans or Muslims than other groups, Latvian Radio reported January 29.
Part of the population does not know how to properly sort its domestic waste, Zero Waste Latvija representative, Rīga City Council deputy Mairita Lūse told Latvian Television January 26.