Gardeners are busy growing flowers for Tet.

People in Lien Quy village, Hau Loc commune take care of flowers to serve the Tet market.

Mr. Hoang Van Ky's family in Lien Quy village, Hau Loc commune has planted seeds since the beginning of the 10th lunar month. Nearly 20,000 marigolds were planted by his family in straight rows. This year, the price of marigold seedlings has increased sharply, fluctuating from 2.2 to 2.5 million VND/10,000 plants for live seedlings; and the type with roots is up to 3.5 to 4.5 million VND/10,000 plants, an increase of about 500,000 to 700,000 VND/10,000 plants compared to last year. According to Mr. Ky, although the price of seeds is expensive, his family has proactively contacted seed sellers in Ninh Binh province to order seeds in time for the Tet flower crop. Along with that, they have invested in an electric lighting system to light up and warm the flowers and regulate the growth of the plants. Up to this point, the flowers have taken root and grown well. The weather at the end of the year is unpredictable, if not carefully cared for, the flowers may not bloom in time for Tet.

In Dong Cuong flower village, Ham Rong ward, the atmosphere is even more bustling. About 200 households grow flowers, every house is busy as if racing against time. On the fields full of green chrysanthemums, gerberas, gladiolus... flower growers are all busy taking care of them. Ms. Do Thi Thuyet, Ham Rong ward, said: "This year my family planted more than 40,000 long-petaled chrysanthemums. My husband and I are almost on the flower field day and night, if we neglect the care a little, the plants will be small, the flowers will be less beautiful, the selling price will be low, the whole crop will be in vain. Therefore, these days, whether it is cold or drizzle, we still prune branches, pinch tops, and prevent pests and diseases little by little. This is considered the key stage, deciding the quality and harvest time, ensuring the most beautiful flowers to serve the Tet market."

Hop Tien Commune is considered one of the largest kumquat growing areas in the province, and kumquat fields are entering the final stages of canopy and shaping. This year, local people were severely affected by storms and heavy rains, and many kumquat gardens were submerged in water. Many households thought they had lost everything, but when the water receded, people rolled up their sleeves to rebuild each kumquat tree, prune damaged branches, and restore the roots with organic fertilizers and biological products. Thanks to their initiative and many years of experience, a part of the area was able to recover, with fruits growing evenly and plumply. In the gardens, the sound of scissors cutting branches rang out, mixed with the bustling exchange of techniques for shaping trees. Mr. Nguyen Duc Thuong, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Hop Tien Commune, said: "The kumquat growing profession in the commune has existed for a long time with more than one hundred households growing ornamental kumquat trees. This time is considered the "sprint season", just one wrong watering or a sudden cold spell is enough to ruin the kumquat's shape. Therefore, growers have to be on duty in the garden all day to prune branches, shape the canopy, and prevent diseases... for the trees."

Walking along the flower growing areas in the communes and wards in the province, we can easily see the image of farmers carrying heavy bags of fertilizer on their shoulders, wading in the mud, their hands numb with cold, hoping for a prosperous Tet season. Perhaps that is why just looking at the flower beds that have returned to green after the water receded, people are filled with hope. The weather this year is forecast to be unpredictable. A cold spell or a long period of rain is enough to cause flowers to bloom unevenly and kumquats to fall off. Therefore, people always have to "watch the sky and watch the earth" to have flower beds that bloom evenly in the spring.

This year, on the fields that have recovered from the storm, the green of flowers and ornamental plants is gradually covering. From the marigold beds in Hau Loc commune, the long flower beds in Dong Cuong ward, to the fruit-laden kumquat gardens in Hop Tien commune and other localities in the province, all are looking forward to the Tet flower season. People only hope for peace and favorable weather, so that their efforts will be rewarded with the smiles of flower buyers, by seeing their products adorn every house and every street corner in the spring days.

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