As we move into June and the weather heats up, crops enter a critical growth period, making it essential to keep up with field management tasks. Following two cool days last weekend, this week in Shaanxi Province will see a mix of high temperatures and rain.
The specific forecast is as follows:
On the 4th, the province will experience intervals of overcast skies and partly cloudy conditions. There will be scattered light rain or showers in most parts of Northern Shaanxi, Southern Guanzhong, and most areas in Southern Shaanxi. Southern winds in Northern Shaanxi will reach 4 to 5 on the Beaufort scale, with gusts potentially reaching 6 to 7.
On the 5th, the province will have intervals of overcast skies and partly cloudy conditions. Some areas in northern Northern Shaanxi and local regions in southern Southern Shaanxi may see showers or thunderstorms.
On the 6th, the province will have intervals of overcast skies and partly cloudy conditions. Local areas in northern Northern Shaanxi, some places in southern Guanzhong, and most areas in Southern Shaanxi can expect showers or thunderstorms.
On the 7th, the province will be mostly sunny. Parts of southern Guanzhong and eastern Southern Shaanxi may experience high temperatures ranging from 35°C to 37°C.
On the 8th, Northern Shaanxi and Guanzhong will be mostly cloudy, while Southern Shaanxi will turn from partly cloudy to overcast with showers or light rain expected in most places.
On the 9th, the province will be mostly cloudy with intervals of overcast skies.
Currently, Tea garden management enters the summer period. With appropriate light, heat, and water conditions, tea plants grow vigorously during this time, making field management particularly important. Senior Engineer Li Hongmei from the Shaanxi Agricultural Remote Sensing and Economic Crops Meteorological Service Center recommends focusing on the following aspects:
Tea Garden Cultivation: The soil between tea rows has become compacted due to continuous picking and trampling during the Spring Tea season, reducing its permeability. Shallow cultivation combined with the application of summer fertilizer can help loosen the surface layer and improve soil structure. This also exposes insect eggs and pupae to sunlight, reducing pest occurrences.
Mulching or Straw Covering in Tea Rows: Mulching or straw covering in the summer helps suppress weed growth, retain moisture, and regulate ground temperature. This should be done in early June before summer harvesting. After laying down the straw or mulch, small piles of soil should be placed on top in a star pattern to secure it.
Tea Garden Fertilization: Summer fertilization should be applied in early June, late July, and early September, using 30 to 50 kilograms of ammonium bicarbonate or urea per mu. The method involves opening a 10 to 12 cm deep trench along the drip line for applying the fertilizer, which is then covered with soil. Foliar fertilization can supplement this by using products like Tian Da 2116, algal extracts, or marine substances.
Pruning and Harvesting of Tea Plants: After the spring harvest, a light pruning should be conducted on the canopy. If there are many chicken claw branches, a deeper pruning is necessary. For severe pruning or stump cutting for rejuvenation, this should be done immediately after harvesting, and fertilization must precede the pruning. For young tea gardens, focus on tip plucking and nurturing, with selective picking; for mature tea gardens, prioritize picking; for rejuvenated tea gardens, focus on nurturing combined with picking to develop the canopy.
Irrigation and Drainage in Tea Gardens: In case of drought, timely watering based on soil moisture levels is required, aiming to thoroughly moisten the soil to a depth of 30 cm. As summer rains are abundant, flat or low-lying tea gardens may accumulate water, so proper drainage channels need to be maintained to prevent root rot and waterlogging damage.