Spring Tea production in our province is about to begin, with various Tea-producing areas entering the preparatory phase. The key points for spring tea production work are as follows.

I. Strengthen Monitoring and Early Warning, Implement Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Measures

Starting from February 19, affected by a strong cold front, there will be widespread sleet, freezing rain, and cold wave conditions across our province. As a result, the minimum temperature over 48 hours will drop by 8-10°C, with some areas experiencing a decrease of around 12°C. All tea-producing areas must take effective measures to ensure stable production and increased revenue and efficiency of the spring tea.

(1) Closely Monitor Weather Changes. According to the provincial climate center's forecast, from February 21 to March 20, the precipitation in Huai River North and between Huai River and Yangtze River regions will be 0-20% less than average, while in southern Jiangsu, it will be 0-20% more than average. During this period, the average temperature in most parts of the province will be 0-1°C lower than average. The expected lowest temperature for the month in Huai River North region is -6 to -4°C, and in other regions, it is -4 to -1°C. There will be four precipitation events across the province from February 21 to March 20, occurring on February 21-22, February 24, February 28, and March 4-6. There will also be two cooling events, on February 24-26 and March 7-8.

(2) Implement Frost Prevention Techniques. With the tea buds yet to sprout, the frost impact on spring tea is expected to be minor following the cold snap accompanied by snowfall in late February. Where conditions allow, anti-frost fans can be activated when temperatures drop below 5°C to prevent frost damage. If the buds sprout and then encounter a significant temperature drop, organize personnel to harvest young tender shoots before the temperature drops to 4°C. For tea gardens where picking is not feasible or does not meet standards, canopy coverage or irrigation can be used to minimize frost damage.

II. Adequate Preparation for an Orderly Spring Tea Production

(1) Strengthen Field Management Before Harvesting. On sunny days, promptly remove weeds, trim side branches, and drain excess water. Mechanical harvesting tea gardens should be pruned before the spring buds sprout to maintain canopy transparency, which facilitates management during the harvest. Early spring fertilization to promote bud growth and strengthen the tree should be applied about 30-40 days before the start of harvesting. In the regions south of the Huai River, this should be completed by the end of February. Fertilization is best done on overcast or light rainy days. Mature tea gardens require 15-20 kg/acre of urea, while young tea gardens need 2.5-5 kg/acre. In mature tea gardens with chlorotic or yellowed leaves, the amount of fertilizer can be reduced. Fertilizer should be applied in trenches or combined with shallow cultivation, with a trench depth of about 10 cm. For newly planted and young tea gardens where tea seedlings have died due to drought or frost, the missing plants can be replenished by early March. After replanting, ensure sufficient root-setting water and protect the seedlings to prevent gaps in rows.

(2) Conduct Equipment and Supply Inspection. Perform cleaning and tidying of Tea processing sites and tools and equipment in advance. Organize professional personnel to inspect and adjust electrical circuits and facilities and equipment, repairing any damaged items. Based on the estimated demand for labor for tea picking and processing, establish contact with tea pickers and processors early, ensuring that necessary supplies for production and living are available. Conduct pre-job training and strictly enforce standards for picking and processing to prepare for large-scale tea production.

(3) Rationally Schedule Picking and Processing. Closely monitor the emergence of new buds and the occurrence of pests and diseases, and rationally arrange the timing and cycles of picking to ensure timely picking. Fresh leaves should be handled and processed according to food production licensing and related standards, promptly processed in the factory, and pay attention to safety in the use of electricity and gas in processing facilities. In the spring, pests such as aphids, black scale insects, and green stink bugs are predominant. Chemical pesticides should be avoided if possible, and it is recommended to manage pests through picking. If pest infestations are severe, biopesticides like sophoridine should be used first for control, ensuring that tea is picked after the safe interval period.

III. Post-Harvest Management for Recovery of Tea Tree Vigor

(1) Strengthen Canopy Management. For young tea gardens, shape pruning should be conducted, with 1-year-old seedlings pruned at a height of 15-20 cm, and 2-3-year-old seedlings pruned 10-15 cm higher than the previous year's cut. For mature tea gardens that do not harvest summer and Autumn Tea, a heavy pruning should be carried out after the spring tea season ends, with the pruning height controlled at 40-55 cm above ground level, based on the vigor of the trees and soil fertility. Heavy pruning should be completed by mid-May. For mature tea gardens that harvest summer and autumn tea, a light pruning should be performed after the spring tea season ends, with a depth of 3-5 cm, removing weak, diseased, and dead branches, and maintaining ventilation and air permeability in the tea rows.

(2) Timely Fertilization and Weed Control. Before pruning, apply fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers, typically 10-15 kg/acre of urea for mature tea gardens, applied in trenches 5-10 cm deep, or combined with hoeing and weed control, which helps promote rapid and uniform growth of new shoots. Before the arrival of the plum rains, ensure that one round of weeding has been completed, and for young tea gardens, increase the frequency of hoeing and weeding based on the growth of weeds.

(3) Enhance Pest and Disease Control. Through pruning and hanging insect-attracting color boards, reduce the number of pests and trap adult insects to mitigate the harm caused by pests like the tea green leafhopper. Hang 25 insect-attracting color boards per acre, with the bottom edge of the board 5-10 cm above the tea canopy.