Farmers in Yen Thanh are busy tending to their peach orchards after Tet.

In the early days of spring, visiting the peach blossom village in Kim Thanh commune, one can see farmers actively planting and caring for peach trees. Mr. Chu Van Le from Dong Ban hamlet, who is grafting peach trees, said: After Tet, planting and caring for peach trees is very important, such as focusing on propagating seedlings, grafting pink peach blossoms with light pink peach blossoms, adjusting growth so that the flowers bloom at the right time, and restoring the trees for the next season.

Currently, the family has successfully grafted over 200 peach trees with red and pink blossoms, mainly mature trees that produce beautiful red flowers similar to those of Nhat Tan peach blossoms. In addition, large peach trees can be grafted to propagate and maintain the quality of the peach variety. Furthermore, after the Lunar New Year, farmers in Kim Thanh can buy back some of the peach trees and replant them for sale in the following year's Lunar New Year. After planting, they prune branches, fertilize, remove leaves, and stimulate or delay flowering…

For peach trees that are 1-2 years old, in addition to following proper care procedures, growers must meticulously shape the canopy. This process needs to be carried out continuously every 5-7 days by combining bending and tying young branches together or creating frames according to predetermined shapes, pruning, and removing unwanted branches. It is also possible to combine this with carving scales on the trunk to give the peach tree an antique look.

Mr. Chu Van Hien, who grows peach trees, said: "During Tet, my family sold over 250 peach trees. Currently, we have propagated seedlings from peaches about a month ago and are now planting new peach trees. They will be ready for harvest in about 2-3 years."

To grow beautiful peach trees, proper planting procedures are essential. Peach trees do not tolerate waterlogging, so choose well-drained, elevated land. The soil must be carefully prepared, loose, and well-aerated. Raised beds should be 25-30 cm high and 70 cm wide, with a planting density of approximately 1m x 1m. After planting, apply organic manure and combine it with proper care and pest control. From the age of one year, pruning and shaping techniques should be implemented to ensure the peach trees are more attractive when ready for sale.

Mr. Phan Tat Mau, Chairman of the Kim Thanh Commune People's Committee, said: The profession of growing peach blossoms for Tet in Kim Thanh commune has become a traditional occupation for many years, and has been recognized as a traditional craft village by the Provincial People's Committee.The planting of peach blossom trees in Kim Thanh commune, according to Decision No. 3469/QD-UBND dated November 8, 2022, is an advantage for the stable development of the local peach blossom cultivation industry, creating conditions for people to develop their economy from peach blossom trees.

The local peach blossom variety, known as "dao phai," is grown commercially by residents of Kim Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district. This native variety boasts many beautiful shapes, thick petals, and a smooth, pink hue. For a long time, customers from within and outside the province have sought it out to admire and purchase for display in their homes during the Lunar New Year.

Currently, the entire commune has over 200 households investing in peach tree cultivation, with a total area of ​​nearly 26 hectares. This year's Tet season brought in revenue exceeding 3.5 billion VND. Many households in Kim Thanh commune earn between 200 and 300 million VND per Tet peach harvest, contributing to improving their lives and creating wealth in the local area.

To ensure the sustainable and efficient development of peach cultivation, immediately after the Lunar New Year, local authorities instructed farmers to focus on planting new peach trees and caring for and restoring existing ones to serve the following year's Tet holiday.