[Our Own Branch Production] SiKiTO Branch Farm in Nakanojo Town, Gunma Prefecture - First Winter Season | June 2025

Ms. Hita is challenging herself to cultivate flowering trees and shrubs as a member of the Regional Revitalization Cooperators in Nakanojo Town, Gunma Prefecture, a town known as "the town of flowers and hot springs" for its thriving cut flower and flowering tree cultivation.

Several months into her activities, she is currently working on preparing a new field under the guidance of local cooperative members. This report covers her winter activities in 2025.

February

When she started, it was the shipping season for flowering peach trees and higan cherry blossoms. She was taught the process from felling to shipping.

March

This is the shipping season for forsythia. They are shipped in bud form so they can bloom at the customer's location.

Due to the high altitude, there were many snowy days, which sometimes hindered progress. It's still very cold.

April

Spring has finally arrived. There are splendid blueberries in the field! I will nurture them carefully.

The forsythia and Kuro-me willow that were originally planted were removed by tractor [*]. After preparing the soil with fertilizer, we plan to plant flowering trees and shrubs.

[*] The process of removing remaining stumps and their roots from the soil.

I also received cuttings of Dragon Willow from the Nakamura Flower Cooperative and its members. They grow quickly, so I'm looking forward to their development.

Going forward, I will expand the field area and plant flowering trees and shrubs suitable for Nakanojo Town's climate. I look forward to the day I can deliver cut branches to customers.

Written by
Yukio Hida

As a member of a regional revitalisation programme, he works on branch cultivation in Nakanojo, Gunma. After experience in the flower wholesale industry, he now handles shipping and delivery for the branch subscription and began his current activities in February 2025.