Developing home vegetable gardens

The model of home vegetable garden implemented by Dien Khanh District Women’s Association has helped growers provide themselves with fresh vegetables as well as contribute to environmental protection.

Green space of vegetable gardens

The model was launched by Dien Khanh District Women’s Association and deployed by 19 affiliations in April 2018. Accordingly, the association opened training classes on growing vegetables and sprouts for its officials. There's nothing quite like fresh veggies harvested right from our own backyard, terraces, etc. All kinds of containers such as flower pots, foam boxes on the patio, deck, or balcony can be used to make great homes for the plants. After successful start at Phu Loc Tay Association (Dien Khanh Town), the model has been expanded effectively, focusing on safe food supply, for nearly 6 years.

Pham Thi Thanh with her small garden corner of vegetables.

Nguyen Thi Cuc born in 1953 in Tay 1 Village, Dien Son Commune and her 3 neighbors are planting vegetables on a garden of about 100m2 to have safe fresh vegetables for their daily meals. There are many kinds of vegetables such as water spinach, lettuce, fish mint and green beans. “We have had the garden for 3 years. We share work from making soil, sowing seeds to harvesting. We have fresh vegetables for our meals as well as make some money,” she said.

The 20m2 garden of Pham Thi Thanh born in 1973 in Tay 1 Village, Dien Son Commune is thriving with mustard greens, amaranth, herbs and fish mint. “Implementing the home garden model, we have fresh vegetables for our daily use. Sometimes, we give some to our neighbors,” she said.

Nguyen Thi Cuc born has safe fresh vegetables for daily meals as well as make some money.

Effectiveness

Reportedly, as many as 4,752 households in the district have been involved in the model. According to the Dien Khanh District Women's Association, each household can supply green vegetables for themselves for 1 to 3 days/week, saving VND60,000 to 100,000/month.

According to Dao Thi Huong, Chairperson of Dien Son Commune Women's Association, the model has been effectively developed with home vegetable gardens providing meals for themselves, thereby saving daily costs. Especially, the model has proved effective during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many households had their own supply of fresh vegetables for themselves and some for others.

Nguyen Thi At grows chives in Styrofoam containers.

In addition, the model has also brought income from the homegrown produce. Nguyen Thi At born in 1949 in Tay 4 Village, Dien Son Commune said, “I’m too old to go out to work. I grow vegetables for my family and earn some money from selling my homegrown produce at VND20,000-30,000/kg.”

Thanks to the "Home  Vegetable Garden" model, more and more green space of vegetables is adding to a clean and beautiful environment. Many grass bushes have been turned out into green carpets of vegetables.

Besides Basella alba in her small garden, Vo Thi Truc born in 1957 in Village 2, Dien Phu Commune also plants some kinds of vegetables such as  Amaranthus, Brassicaceae and Sauropus androgynus on disserted road sides, contributing to creating more green space as well as bringing her VND2-3 million from selling vegetables.

Vo Thi Truc waters her vegetable garden.

According to Pham Thi Hoa, Chairwoman of Dien Khanh District Women's Association, in order to expand the model effectively and atract more participants, efforts of the association at all levels are required. Some affiliations have provided seeds for members. Members have shared seeds, seedlings and experience in vegetable farming. The "Home Vegetable Garden" model has motivated members to create a clean and beautiful green environment with surrounding vegetable gardens and promote the use of safe food. In the coming time, the association will continue to expand this model along with other environmental protection models, contributing to new rural construction.

C.T

Translated by N.T