Farming Guide for Xiaoxue

The Minor Snow solar term is an important period in winter, when the weather gradually turns colder and the precipitation form changes from rain to snow. In order to cope with the low temperature climate in winter, farmers need to carry out a series of farming activities to ensure a good harvest. Let’s take a look at the farming guide for the Minor Snow solar term.

1. Farming in the North

1. Fruit tree management

After the Minor Snow Festival in northern China, fruit farmers begin to prune the trees and wrap the trunks with straw foil to prevent the trees from freezing.

2. Vegetable management

Focus on strengthening cold-proof measures for vegetables. For example, water with antifreeze water to increase cold resistance; set up temporary wind barriers to reduce the attack of cold winds; spread crop straw or decomposed organic fertilizer for insulation, etc.

3. Ditch cleaning

Clean up the stagnant water and weeds in the ponds and ditches in the fields to ensure the smooth flow of water. At the same time, check the integrity of the water conservancy facilities, repair the damaged parts, and prepare for the next season's field irrigation.

4. Harvest in time

As the saying goes, "Harvest onions during the Xiaoxue period, otherwise it will be empty." This means that green onions need to be harvested in time, otherwise they will be damaged by frost due to the low temperature, resulting in a decline in quality or even inedible.

5. Fish ponds and livestock overwintering

Proper preparation and management of fish ponds for wintering. Good management of wintering fish ponds is the key to improving the survival rate of fish populations during the winter. In addition, preparations for wintering feed for large livestock must be made in advance.

2. Farming in the South

1. Vegetable planting

The climate in the south is warmer than in the north, and the light snow season is still suitable for growing cold-resistant vegetables such as chives, pea tips, spinach, shepherd's purse, etc., which can provide an abundant supply of vegetables in winter and early spring and have high economic value.

2. Farmland management

In the south, field management of crops such as rice and vegetables still needs to be strengthened after the Minor Snow solar term. On the one hand, we must continue to strengthen the prevention and control of pests and diseases, such as rice planthoppers and rice blast; on the other hand, we must harvest and store crops in a timely manner to ensure their safety over the winter.

3. Cash crop management

For economic crops such as citrus fruits and tea, we must continue to do a good job in pruning, fertilizing, picking, etc., while also paying attention to the prevention and control of diseases and pests such as anthracnose and red spider mites.

4. Management of Chinese herbal medicines

For Chinese medicinal materials such as Cyclocarya paliurus, Saffron, and Polygonatum, proper field management should be carried out, including cleaning up dead branches and leaves to reduce the base number of overwintering pests and diseases.

Generally speaking, agricultural activities during the Minor Snow solar term are crucial to a good harvest in the coming year, and mainly involve fruits and vegetables, livestock, fish ponds, cash crops and other aspects. Farmers should arrange farming activities reasonably according to local climatic conditions and crop growth conditions to ensure smooth agricultural production.