Spring tea is the tea season with the best quality and highest economic value in tea production throughout the year. The preparation work before picking and the operational standards during the picking process directly affect the yield, quality, and subsequent processing effect of tea. The following is a systematic summary of the key preparations before spring tea picking and the technical points in the process of tea picking, based on the historical articles.
1. Preparation before Spring Tea Picking
1) Optimization of tea garden management
(a) Pruning and Nutritional Regulation of Tea Trees
Light pruning and shaping pruning: 1-2 months before the germination of spring tea (usually in winter or early spring), light pruning should be carried out on tea trees to remove dead branches, diseased and insect infested branches, and overly dense branches, while maintaining ventilation and light transmission in the tree crown. For young tea trees or tea gardens that require tree shape adjustment, pruning should be done to promote branching.
Fertilization management: According to the growth cycle of tea trees, sufficient basal fertilizer (mainly organic fertilizer) should be applied in late autumn and early winter, and germination promoting fertilizer (instant tea tree specific fertilizer) should be applied 20-30 days before spring tea germination to promote bud and leaf germination and nutrient accumulation. The team suggests that fertilization should be combined with soil testing results to avoid excessive or biased application of nitrogen fertilizer, which can lead to soil acidification or reduced content.
(b) Disease and pest control
Early Spring Clearing: Remove weeds and fallen leaves from tea gardens to reduce the growth of overwintering insect eggs and pathogens.
Biological control: Adopt green prevention and control measures such as sticky insect boards (timely replacement) and sex attractants to eliminate the use of chemical pesticides. If medication is required, choose biological or mineral based agents and strictly follow the safety interval.
(c) Soil and Water Pipe
Shallow tillage and loosening of soil: 15-20 days before spring tea picking, shallow tillage of soil (depth 5-10 centimeters) should be carried out to break the compacted layer, increase soil temperature, promote root activity, and avoid damaging roots.
Maintenance of drainage and irrigation system: In areas with heavy rainfall in spring, drainage ditches need to be dredged to prevent water accumulation and root rot; In arid areas, it is necessary to inspect irrigation facilities in advance to ensure water supply during the germination period of spring tea.
2. Personnel organization and training
(1) Recruitment and division of labor for tea pickers
Recruit a sufficient number of skilled tea pickers in advance based on the tea plantation area and expected output, and divide tea picking teams into blocks to clarify responsibility areas. The Angen team emphasizes the importance of prioritizing experienced tea pickers or providing pre job training for new employees to ensure standardized picking techniques.
(2) Technical training and standard promotion
Theoretical training: Explain the standards for spring tea picking, requirements for fresh leaf classification, and precautions.
Practical demonstration: On site demonstration of correct picking techniques (such as handle picking, pinch picking, etc.) to avoid damaging buds and leaves through “grabbing” and “smoothing” picking.
3. Preparation of materials and facilities
(1) Tea picking tool equipment
Prepare sufficient tea picking baskets, bamboo baskets, or breathable cloth bags to avoid using sealed containers that may cause fresh leaves to overheat and spoil. Inspect and debug tea picking machinery (such as single person tea picking machines and double person tea picking machines) to ensure their suitability for tea tree varieties and terrain conditions.
(2) Fresh leaf storage and transportation facilities
Clean and disinfect the fresh leaf storage area, equip it with a ventilated and cool storage area, and avoid direct sunlight. Arrange dedicated transportation vehicles to ensure that the time for fresh leaves to travel from the tea garden to the processing plant does not exceed 4 hours, in order to prevent accumulation and heat generation.
4. Meteorological monitoring and harvesting plan formulation
Weather prediction: Pay close attention to the temperature changes in early spring, predict the risk of “late spring cold” based on historical data, and prepare anti frost measures in advance (such as covering with anti frost cloth, smoking, etc.).
Batch picking plan: Based on the variety of tea trees and the speed of bud and leaf germination, develop a batch picking schedule, prioritize picking tea trees in sunny slopes and low altitude areas, and achieve efficient resource utilization.