As winter sets in, the above-ground parts of Tea plants gradually cease growing and enter a dormant phase, while their root systems enter a period of heightened activity. At this time, the focus of tea garden management is to expedite the recovery of the plant and strengthen its vigor, aiming for high-quality and high-yield Spring Tea production the following year. The cessation of bud development in tea plants varies significantly across different regions, varieties, and altitudes, primarily depending on local temperatures and daylight hours.

Winter management of tea gardens is an essential technical measure for enhancing the yield and quality of tea in the coming year, reducing pest and weed damage, and improving the overall productivity and efficiency of tea gardens. Therefore, it is necessary to prioritize winter management to ensure high-quality and high-yield tea production in the following year.

I. Soil and Fertilizer Management

After multiple rounds of picking, the surface layer of soil in tea gardens generally becomes compacted. A shallow cultivation can be carried out between rows combined with weeding. Where conditions permit, deep cultivation can be performed along with the application of base fertilizer, improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil, enhancing its permeability, and promoting the growth and development of the tea plant's root system. Deep cultivation is typically conducted from late November to early December, and for young tea gardens planted in trenches, filling with soil is recommended, with a depth of 15 to 20 cm being ideal.

Fertilization should be adjusted according to factors such as the fertility level of the garden's soil, the age of the tea plants, and their growth momentum. The timing of fertilization depends on when above-ground growth ceases, and it is preferable to apply fertilizers earlier rather than later. In areas with higher elevations and lower temperatures where tea plants stop growing earlier, the application period should also be advanced accordingly.

Fertilize by opening a trench 20 cm away from the tea plant roots.

II. Pest and Disease Control

As temperatures drop, pests and diseases in tea plants enter their wintering phase. To minimize pest occurrences and damages in the coming year, timely garden cleanup is essential. This involves performing winter pruning of the tea plant canopy, followed by deep cultivation between rows combined with fertilization. This process buries and covers the overwintering sites of dead branches, leaves, and weeds, exposing some pupae on the soil surface, preventing pest and disease outbreaks. Before December, spraying mineral-based agents can effectively control mites, whiteflies, scale insects, and leaf diseases. If pest infestations are severe, tea gardens can be sprayed with 45% crystalline sulfur suspension at a dilution of 100 to 120 times, using 50 kg per mu. When spraying, ensure coverage of both sides of the leaves, the upper and lower surfaces of the plants, and the surrounding weeds and branches within the canopy, to enhance control effectiveness.

III. Freeze Damage Prevention

The timing of leaf retention in high-altitude tea gardens is closely related to frost damage in tea plants. Retaining leaves during the late autumn season makes them more susceptible to frost due to their tender quality. It is crucial to improve forecasting and early warning systems for hazardous weather conditions and take preventive measures in advance. Establishing windbreaks in windward directions can reduce wind speeds within the region, effectively protecting against cold waves. When cold waves approach, timely irrigation or sprinkling can help mitigate frost damage. Additionally, mulching tea gardens can increase ground temperatures by 1 to 2 °C, reducing the severity of frozen soil and aiding in moisture retention.

For tea gardens that have standing water after snowmelt, drainage ditches should be promptly opened. After the thaw, shallow cultivation and weeding in early spring can raise ground temperatures and cultivate soil fertility. Supplementing with fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers helps tea plants rapidly recover their vigor, promoting bud emergence and new shoot growth. For tea plants affected by frost and pruned, appropriate rest periods should be allowed to restore the canopy. For lightly pruned tea plants, normal picking can resume in the early spring, followed by leaf retention in the later stages; for severely affected and deeply pruned tea plants, the spring shoots should be left to grow, and summer shoots can be harvested by topping.

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