Combining flower and vegetable farming yields high income.

With the improving economic conditions, ornamental plants are gradually becoming an indispensable "spiritual nourishment" for many people, especially during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year). Recognizing this market demand, Ms. Nguyen Thi Diep in Binh Trung area, Long Tuyen ward, boldly developed a model of growing flowers for sale during Tet, combined with cultivating other crops. With a cultivated area of ​​over 1,000 square meters, Ms. Diep earns more than 300 million VND annually.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Diep has just planted Taiwanese chrysanthemum seedlings to serve the Lunar New Year in 2026.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Diep, who was once involved in traditional farming, realized that rice cultivation was inefficient, so she boldly converted over 1,000 square meters of rice paddies into gardens, growing ornamental flowers for sale during Tet (Lunar New Year) combined with vegetable farming. Thanks to her diligence, hard work, and keen understanding of market demands, Ms. Diep's production model has been very successful.

Currently, Ms. Diep grows about 1,500 pots of Taiwanese chrysanthemums, petunias, and other flowers to serve the upcoming Lunar New Year. According to Ms. Diep, depending on the variety, her flowers sell for between 50,000 and 250,000 VND per pot. With 25 years of experience in flower cultivation, Ms. Diep understands the characteristics of each type of flower, from seed selection, soil mixing, and fertilization to flower induction. She is also skilled at adjusting the temperature so that the flowers bloom precisely in the days leading up to Tet, fetching high prices and generating substantial profits.

Besides selling flowers from her garden to traders, during each Lunar New Year, Ms. Diep rents a space in the city center to sell ornamental flowers directly to customers. Ms. Diep shared: “During the 2025 Lunar New Year, I sold more than 1,000 potted flowers, earning over 250 million VND. After deducting expenses, I made a profit of over 100 million VND.”

According to Ms. Diep, among various types of flowers, Taiwanese chrysanthemums are difficult to cultivate but yield high economic value. To grow Taiwanese chrysanthemums successfully, growers must choose seedlings from reputable sources, ensuring they are disease-free. Ms. Diep shared her experience: “After planting Taiwanese chrysanthemums for 15-20 days, growers should pinch off the tips and prune unnecessary branches to allow for better air circulation, photosynthesis, and rapid growth. During the flowering stage, growers should remove secondary buds, leaving only the main bud to concentrate nutrients on the flower. In addition, it is necessary to regularly use chemical fertilizers combined with organic fertilizers during the flowering stage to ensure large, vibrant blooms.”

After the Tet flower season ends, Ms. Diep utilizes the vacant land to grow loofah, eggplant, and sweet potato leaves to increase her income. Among the various crops, Ms. Diep believes that growing loofah requires less labor and yields a high income. According to Ms. Diep, loofah takes about 30-35 days from planting to harvesting, and the harvesting period lasts 3-4 months. On average, one hectare of loofah yields 3 tons of fruit per season, and depending on the time of year, traders buy it at prices ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 VND per kilogram.

After harvesting the crops, Ms. Diep continues to improve the soil to plant new crops. This helps increase soil fertility, prevent pests and diseases before planting the Tet flower crop, and provides a stable income throughout the year.

Mr. Pham Van Thinh, Vice Chairman of the Long Tuyen Ward Farmers' Association, commented: "Ms. Nguyen Thi Diep is a prime example of success with the model of growing ornamental flowers combined with vegetable cultivation in the locality. To develop this model, over the years, the Ward Farmers' Association has coordinated with specialized departments to organize training courses to help many members and farmers access and apply scientific and technical advancements in growing and caring for ornamental flowers and vegetables. At the same time, they have collaborated with banks and farmers' support funds at all levels to create conditions for members and farmers to access preferential loans to invest in production and business development, gradually improving their living standards."

Text and photos: TT

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/trong-hoa-ket-hop-rau-mau-thu-nhap-cao-a193668.html