Spring Tea is the top priority in annual Tea production, and winter and spring are critical periods for enhancing garden management and improving the quality and efficiency of spring tea. To strengthen winter and spring Tea Garden management, the Planting Industry Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center and the Tea Expert Advisory Group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, has formulated the following technical guidance for winter and spring tea garden production management.

1. Disaster Prevention

1.1 Freeze Prevention. Closely monitor weather forecasts and implement preventative measures such as covering the rows and canopy of tea plants with straw, film, or shade nets before cold waves. After a cold wave, promptly remove the covering materials from the tea plant canopies. When a cold wave occurs, irrigation or spray irrigation can be used to mitigate cold and frost damage. Once temperatures return to normal, timely pruning should be carried out on frost-damaged tea gardens. For mild frost damage, light pruning should be performed to remove dead branches and leaves while preserving the picking surface. For severe frost damage, deep pruning, heavy pruning, or coppicing should be carried out to remove dead branches.

1.2 Drought Prevention in Spring. For tea gardens with irrigation facilities, promptly repair and maintain irrigation equipment and clear reservoirs to actively store water for use. Straw mulch should be applied between rows, especially in young tea gardens, to retain soil moisture. After rainfall, shallow cultivation and loosening of the soil should be carried out promptly to conserve water and retain soil moisture.

2. Nutritional Management

2.1 Application of Organic Fertilizer. Applying organic fertilizer in winter promotes healthy tea plant growth and improves the quality of fresh leaves. Based on soil fertility and the nutrient content of the organic fertilizer, regions with suitable conditions can apply it along the drip line of the tea plants from December to January via trench application, typically around 200 kilograms per mu (about 0.067 hectares).

2.2 Foliar Fertilization. To enhance nutrient storage in tea plants and improve the yield and quality of spring tea, amino acid foliar fertilizers and other nutritional foliar fertilizers can be sprayed once in December, followed by 1-2 more applications in January to February, with a two-week interval between each application. Drones can be used for spraying.

2.3 Nitrogen Fertilizer Top-Dressing. In high-quality tea production areas, fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers can be applied 40-50 days before the start of spring tea harvesting at a rate of 5-8 kilograms of pure nitrogen per mu. In Oolong Tea and bulk Green Tea production areas, fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers can be applied 20-30 days before the start of spring tea harvesting at the same rate.

3. Preparation for Spring Tea Production

3.1 Maintenance of Production Equipment. Repair and maintain tea picking, processing, and field operation machinery to ensure they are functioning properly. Check for any missing equipment, and promptly purchase and install it.

3.2 Procurement of Production Supplies. Procure production supplies in advance, including fertilizers, fuel, pest control products, and pandemic protection gear required for spring tea production.

3.3 Cleanup of Production Sites. Clear drainage ditches in tea gardens, repair garden roads, and clean up the tea factory and its surrounding environment.

3.4 Training for Production. Organize training sessions for tea pickers and processors during the winter off-season to improve their skills in picking and processing and raise awareness of safe production practices.

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