Qingming is one of the 24 Solar Terms in traditional Chinese culture, which refers to the warming of weather and blooming of plants. During the Qingming time, the climate in the South of China is getting warm and Spring is coming. However there is also some cold weather before and after the Qingming time. The average daily temperature may be below 12℃ which will result to the death of early season rice. In the northwest highlands of China, livestock will suffer the lack of food due to the consumption of the whole winter.
It’s essential to protect old and young livestock from the harm of early Spring due to lack of food. “It’s always raining during the Qing Ming time” is written by a famous poet Du Mu of Tang Dynasty. However the situation is not the same as described in the poem. The southern of China and the western part of China often suffer from dry weather for long time. The total raining volume in early April is only about 10 to 20 mm, which is far from half of the raining volume in that of regions south of the Yangtze River.
Though the southeast part of China has rather more raining volume. The early April raining volume is about 20 to 40 mm. Except from the northeast and northwest part of China,the temperature in most places of China has raised to more than 12℃. Most places of China show a busy Spring scene. The wheat is about booting, and rape has been full bloom. Agricultural plants such as corn, broomcorn and cotton is about planted. During this season, the fertilization and water management should be implemented well to assure the nutrition of plants. The tea tree is also sprouting at this time, measures should be taken to protect from diseases and pets.
