Recently, our city will experience extended periods of heavy rain and snow, the most widespread since winter began, which poses a significant threat to Tea trees overwintering. To prevent frost damage in tea gardens, this technical guidance is formulated.

1. Strengthen Monitoring and Early Warning

Closely monitor weather forecasts, conduct early analysis and judgment of the impact of rain, snow, and freezing weather, clarify key areas of prevention and response measures, and prepare for persistent rain, snow, and freezing weather.

2. Implement Protective Measures

1. Facility Protection. For tea gardens that use facilities for overwintering, promptly inspect the stability of arch-shaped shelters, tighten ropes securing the shelters, and repair damaged covers.

2. Barrier Protection. Before the arrival of wind and snow, erect windbreaks on the north and west sides of the tea garden facing the wind. The best material for windbreaks is rice straw curtains; plastic film can also be used.

3. Timely Ditch Clearing and Snow Removal. For plots in tea gardens with low-lying terrain and poor drainage, promptly dredge ditches to drain off accumulated water and snow, preventing soil and roots from freezing. If there is a thick layer of snow, for tea gardens using conventional overwintering methods, promptly remove the snow from the canopy of tea trees to reduce the occurrence of frost damage; for tea gardens using facility overwintering, promptly remove snow from the roof of the shelter to prevent the collapse of the structure.

3. Post-Frost Management of Affected Tea Gardens

1. Timely Repair of Overwintering Facilities. After the weather clears up, promptly repair damaged structures, such as those covered by snow, broken covers, and collapsed windbreaks.

2. Pruning at the Right Time. For tea gardens affected by frost, pruning can be carried out after the temperature rises in spring, before the buds start sprouting. The depth of pruning should be determined based on the severity of the frost damage, ideally 1 to 2 centimeters deeper than the dead branches. It is best to make the cut 1 to 2 centimeters above the branch fork. If only the edges of the leaves are frozen, no pruning is necessary.

3. Shallow Tilling and Fertilization. After pruning frost-damaged tea trees, strengthen nutrient and water management and apply early spring sprouting fertilizer. The fertilization time is generally before the end of February. The type of fertilizer should primarily be fast-acting chemical fertilizer, supplemented by phosphorus and potassium fertilizers on top of nitrogen fertilizer, and organic fertilizer if possible.

4. Retain New Shoots to Regenerate Damaged Canopies. For tea gardens affected by frost, the method of picking in the following year must focus on retaining new shoots. For lightly pruned tea gardens with frost-damaged branches and leaves, retain one true leaf during spring picking. For heavily pruned tea gardens, prioritize nurturing to ensure the retention of productive branches and recovery of the canopy.

Contributed by: Agricultural Technology Center of Rizhao City's Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs