Nghia Dan farmers use garden land to grow flowers for Tet

(Baonghean.vn) - In recent years, capturing the Tet flower market, Nghia Dan farmers have switched from growing vegetables and corn to growing Tet flowers. The most commonly grown flowers are chrysanthemums and gladiolus.

Chrysanthemums are carefully cared for by Nghia Khanh farmers to bloom in time for Tet. Photo: Dinh Thuy

These days, Mr. Nguyen Van Hien, Hong Khanh hamlet, Nghia Khanh commune is focusing on taking care of 10,000 chrysanthemum plants. The flowers are grown right in the home garden, so it is very convenient from installing light bulbs to watering and taking care of them. Previously, this area was often used to grow corn and vegetables. However, for the past 3 years, the family has boldly switched to growing chrysanthemums and has an income of more than 10 million VND/month.

Mr. Hien said: First, seeing the high demand of people for fresh flowers during Tet, I also searched online and in books and newspapers. The process of growing and caring for flowers is also more laborious than growing crops because depending on weather factors, growers have to regulate so that the flowers bloom during Tet.

Flower growing is a very laborious job, you have to listen to the weather every day and take care of the flowers like a "baby". When the weather is cold, you have to increase the electricity to "promote" the growth of the plants, when the weather is sunny, you have to use measures to "slow down" them. The flowers must grow right on Tet holiday to be sold economically. The cycle of flowers is 3 months, but if the weather is warm, the flowers can bloom earlier. Growing flowers right in the garden makes it easy for the family to take care of. Every Tet holiday, Mr. Hien plants 10,000 chrysanthemums, after deducting expenses, the family earns 20 million VND.

Mr. Hoang Huu Tho - Head of the Agriculture Department of Nghia Khanh Commune said: When people's lives are better, the demand for fresh flowers also increases. Understanding people's tastes, some households have boldly switched from corn and potatoes to growing flowers. Currently, the commune has more than 10 households growing flowers, each family grows from 2,000 to 10,000 flowers, mainly chrysanthemums.

Gladiolus flowers are also chosen by Nghia Dan people to grow and sell for Tet. Photo: Dinh Thuy

Like Nghia Khanh commune, farmers in Nghia Trung, Nghia Hoi and Nghia Lam communes have also boldly converted some garden land to grow flowers for Tet. Mr. Vo Van Son, Ap Don hamlet, Nghia Trung commune said: Every year, his family plants from 3,500 to 5,000 chrysanthemums of various kinds.

Mr. Trung shared: I grow them in the garden so I can take care of them in a “quick-fix” way. Growing them in the field requires pulling the power out to light the bulbs at night, and protecting the cattle… These days it’s cold so I often go out at night to check the bulbs to make appropriate adjustments.

Mr. Nguyen Hung Thang - Chairman of Nghia Trung Farmers Association said: Nghia Trung people have a tradition of growing vegetables, in recent years, some households have switched to growing flowers in their gardens. At first, there were only a few households, but later, households learned from each other, each year there are 10 to 15 households growing flowers to serve the Lunar New Year market./.

Dinh Thuy