Flowers bursting with spring colors
These days, visiting Thu Thua commune, Khanh Hau ward, and many other localities in Tay Ninh province, one can easily feel the approaching Tet holiday. On the vast flower fields, rows of chrysanthemums, marigolds, cockscomb, kalanchoe, and other flowers stretch across the landscape, creating a vibrant spring scene. This is the time when flower farmers focus on the final stages of care – a crucial period that determines the quality, appearance, and price of Tet flowers.
The family of Mr. Le Van Phuoc (residing in An Hoa 3 hamlet, Thu Thua commune) has been involved in growing Tet flowers for the past 10 years. These days, Mr. Phuoc is busy tending to his flower garden, from adjusting the amount of water for irrigation and fertilizing to monitoring the budding process, hoping that the flowers will develop uniformly and bloom just in time for Tet.
According to Mr. Phuoc, growing Tet flowers not only brings a decent income and contributes to creating stable livelihoods for local people, but also yields higher economic value compared to rice cultivation, although it still carries the risk of market fluctuations. He expects this year's Tet flower season to be successful, with vibrant flower pots being purchased by traders and transported to Tet markets inside and outside the province.
That bustling atmosphere is also clearly evident in many other flower gardens throughout the province. At the flower garden of Mr. Nguyen Van Vui's family (residing in Ngai Loi A neighborhood, Khanh Hau ward), from early morning, he and his wife have been out in the garden checking each row, adjusting the amount of water for irrigation, and pruning buds.
According to Mr. Vui, growing flowers for the Tet market requires meticulous attention to detail and careful planning; even a few days' delay or unfavorable weather can immediately affect quality and sales. Having been involved in growing Tet flowers for six years, Mr. Vui's family begins planting seeds every year, starting from the beginning of October in the lunar calendar.
This year, the family planted about 1,000 plants and 1,000 potted flowers on an area of 2,000 square meters, including many varieties such as marigolds, cockscomb, petunias, Korean chrysanthemums, Dutch chrysanthemums, kalanchoe, and morning marigolds, etc. Thanks to meticulous care, the flower garden is thriving, full of buds, and promises to bloom beautifully in time for Tet (Lunar New Year). According to Mr. Vui, every step, from selecting the soil and seeds to monitoring the budding stage, must be done carefully.
“At this time, my family closely monitors each stage of the flowers' growth to ensure they bloom in time for Tet. Flower growers also hope for stable prices so they can have a more prosperous Tet. If traders buy at a reasonable price, my family estimates we can earn about 60 million VND from this year's Tet flower crop,” Mr. Vui shared.
The apricot blossom village of Tan Tay is bustling with activity, "nurturing buds and cultivating flowers."
While chrysanthemums and marigolds bring vibrant spring colors, the yellow apricot blossom is an indispensable symbol of the Lunar New Year in Southern Vietnam. These days, the atmosphere in Tan Tay commune's apricot blossom growing village is even more bustling. Under the lush green apricot trees, growers are busy stripping leaves, pruning branches, fertilizing, and adjusting irrigation to ensure the blossoms bloom precisely at the moment of New Year's Eve.
Ms. Le Thi Mo (residing in Mai Vang hamlet, Tan Tay commune) currently cultivates about 3 hectares of apricot blossom trees. She has been involved in apricot blossom cultivation for over 7 years. These days, her family is focusing on caring for the apricot blossom garden as it enters a crucial stage, preparing for the Tet market. Since she started growing apricot blossoms, she has harvested twice, sometimes smoothly, sometimes facing difficulties, but she has persevered in the profession.
"Growing apricot blossom trees requires not only capital and technical skills but also patience and careful monitoring of each stage of the tree's growth. The apricot blossom season for Tet (Lunar New Year) is like gambling with the weather. Any erratic sunshine or rain requires immediate adjustments; otherwise, if the blossoms bloom too early or too late, their value will be lost," Ms. Mo shared.
The entire Tan Tay commune currently has 532 households growing apricot blossom trees on 430 hectares. This includes 1,000 bonsai apricot blossom trees and 10 ancient apricot blossom trees (20 years old or older and with trunks over 1 meter in circumference). Despite many concerns, apricot blossom growers in Tan Tay still have high hopes for this year's Tet (Lunar New Year) season.
To support the people, the local government has been implementing many solutions to assist in the production and consumption of yellow apricot blossoms. The commune has registered the "Tan Tay Yellow Apricot Blossom" certification mark and registered for mascot protection.
Pham Thi My Phung, Vice Chairman of the Tan Tay Commune People's Committee, said: "Tan Tay apricot blossom village is one of the traditional apricot blossom growing areas in the locality. At this time, the commune is focusing on supporting people with techniques for caring for and controlling pests and diseases, and creating favorable conditions for traders to come and buy the flowers. We expect this year's Tet apricot blossom season to bring a considerable income to the people."
According to Ms. Pham Thi My Phung, the profession of growing apricot blossom trees not only has economic value but also contributes to preserving the distinctive cultural features of the traditional Lunar New Year. Each pot of apricot blossoms blooming at the right time is the result of a year of diligent labor.
Vegetables for the Tet holiday season
Along with ornamental flowers, vegetables are also an indispensable item during the Lunar New Year. In Khanh Hau ward, lush green vegetable fields are entering the harvesting season to meet the increased consumer demand during Tet.
On the 2.7 hectares of land belonging to Mr. Tran Minh Chien's family (residing in Giong Dinh neighborhood, Khanh Hau ward), various types of vegetables such as tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, bitter melons, gourds, and loofahs are thriving and ready for harvest. He also grows broccoli and cabbage to supply the market during the Lunar New Year. In addition, his family supplies over 500,000 seedlings annually to households both within and outside the province.
Mr. Chien said: “To have vegetables to sell during Tet (Lunar New Year), the family has to focus on meticulous care, intensify pest and disease control, and closely monitor the growth process of the plants. Growing vegetables for the Tet market is more difficult than usual because we have to time it so that the vegetables reach the right harvest time, but in return, vegetables are consumed in large quantities during this period, bringing in a significant income, helping the family have a more fulfilling Tet celebration.”
According to many vegetable growers in Khanh Hau ward, input costs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides have increased this year. However, thanks to the application of scientific and technical advancements in production, the yield and quality of vegetables are still ensured. Many households have also proactively linked with traders and wholesale markets to stabilize output and avoid the situation of "bumper harvest, falling prices".
According to Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Khanh Hau Ward: “The ward currently has more than 25 hectares of vegetable crops. During Tet (Lunar New Year), the local authorities encourage people to intensify care and production in a safe manner to meet market demand. The government, in coordination with relevant departments, regularly monitors the production situation and provides technical support to the people. Growing vegetables not only contributes to ensuring the food supply for the Tet market but also serves as an important source of income, helping many households improve their lives and celebrate Tet in more comfortable conditions.”
From vibrant flower gardens to lush green vegetable fields, the picture of agricultural production for Tet (Lunar New Year) is vividly emerging, full of hope. Despite concerns about weather and market conditions, with diligence, creativity, and faith in a bountiful harvest, farmers continue to work tirelessly in their fields and orchards, contributing to bringing Tet earlier to every home.
Source: https://baotayninh.vn/rau-mau-hoa-kieng-cho-tet-135957.html
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