Embrace Chinese Solar Terms in Your Gardening Journey
Today is the first day of the new year, and it is also the first day of spring. But it's February 4th, so we have been in 2024 for just over a month now, and the spring equinox is not until the second half of March, so how could this be?
Well, today marks the beginning of the solar cycle according to an ancient Chinese farming tradition, and I want to introduce you to this great wisdom to give you a new backdrop for your gardening activities this year.
The sun shining on the earth from different angles is the single most driving force of our seasons, but there is more to it than just marking the solstices and equinoxes. Photo by Lucas George Wendt
What are Solar Terms?
Gardening enthusiasts who are on the lookout for innovative approaches to enhance their gardening experience may be interested in exploring a unique perspective on gardening that I found while digging around the internet. Rooted in an ancient agricultural tradition from China, the Chinese solar terms are a traditional approach to agriculture that is recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Foundation and provide a fascinating framework for understanding and planning your gardening activities throughout the year.
The Chinese solar terms are based on an astrological calendar, dividing the year into 24 two-week periods that align with the Earth's movement around the Sun. These terms, derived from the Chinese zodiac calendar, offer valuable insights into the changes in nature and can be applied just the same in North America because we also reside in the Northern Hemisphere.
Mapping Chinese Solar Terms to Your Gardening Calendar
The Chinese solar terms can be a valuable tool for gardeners irrespective of their location or hardiness zone. The key is to adapt this ancient wisdom to your specific environment, considering factors such as frost dates, hardiness zones, and local climate variations. By aligning your gardening activities with the Chinese solar terms, you gain a deeper understanding of the subtle changes in nature and can optimize your gardening efforts.
The sun shining on the earth from different angles is the single most driving force of our seasons, but there is more to it than just marking the solstices and equinoxes. Illustration by My Garden Log
Planning Ahead with Solar Terms
I’m striving to build out content to act as a practical guide on how to integrate Chinese solar terms into your gardening calendar. The My Garden Log™ planner is designed to help you make observations, take notes, track dates, and align your gardening activities with the natural rhythm reflected in the solar terms. Since gardening knowledge accumulates over many years of practice, gardeners are constantly refining their strategies for the upcoming seasons. I have found the solar term framework to be a critical strategy for improving my skills and building on previous years’ lessons and successes.
Here is a sampling from the 24 solar terms, with some general phenological trends that give them their names:
Spring Terms:
Start of Spring (Li Chun): This marks the beginning of spring. It's an ideal time to start planting early cool-weather vegetables like peas and spinach.
Clear and Bright (Qing Ming): Focus on weeding, cultivating, and sowing seeds for warm-season crops during this clear and bright period.
Summer Terms:
Grain Rain (Gu Yu): A good time for transplanting and nurturing seedlings. Watering should be a priority during this life stage, though nature will likely take care of that for you.
Summer Solstice (Xia Zhi): The longest day of the year. Plan to harvest or protect cool-weather crops that won’t do well in the summer heat.
Autumn Terms:
Start of Autumn (Li Qiu): Ideal for planting cool-weather crops like lettuce and radishes. Prepare for the upcoming cooler weather.
White Dew (Bai Lu): Harvest mature crops and focus on soil preparation for the next growing season.
Winter Terms:
Start of Winter (Li Dong): Time to finish harvesting and store crops for the winter. Pay attention to protecting plants from frost.
Minor Cold (Xiao Han) & Major Cold (Da Han): These terms signal the coldest period. Plan for indoor gardening activities, such as starting seeds indoors or maintaining potted plants.
Benefits of Aligning Gardening Activities with Solar Terms
Optimal Plant Growth:
By following the solar terms, gardeners can synchronize planting and harvesting activities with optimal weather conditions, promoting healthier plant growth.
Natural Pest Control:
Understanding solar terms helps gardeners anticipate pest cycles and implement natural pest control measures at the right time.
Resource Conservation:
Aligning gardening tasks with solar terms reduces resource wastage and ensures efficient use of water, fertilizers, and other inputs.
Harmonize with Nature
Embracing Chinese solar terms in your gardening journey introduces a holistic and mindful approach to cultivating the land. By aligning with ancient traditions and adapting them to modern gardening practices, enthusiasts can deepen their connection with nature and enhance the success of their gardening endeavors. So, whether you're in Florida, Kansas, or Washington, the Chinese solar terms offer a practical guide to harmonize with the changing seasons and optimize your gardening efforts.
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