Key Technical Measures for Overwintering Vegetables to Handle Cold Wave Weather

It is the critical period for managing overwintering greenhouse vegetables, planting and early management of early spring tomatoes and peppers in greenhouses, sowing and seedling management of melon vegetables, and the peak season for sales of New Year’s flowers. It is also the overwintering period for crops such as rapeseed, wheat, fruit trees, edible fungi, and medicinal plants. In the face of potential low-temperature freezing weather, effective measures should be taken to minimize disaster losses.

1. Inspection and Reinforcement of Agricultural Facilities

• Clear Ditches and Manage Canals: Before the arrival of the cold wave, it is essential to clear ditches and canals to prevent waterlogging and avoid waterlogging damage.
• Greenhouse Reinforcement: Inspect and reinforce the greenhouse, promptly repair damaged frames and films, and strengthen the structure to ensure that it does not suffer frost damage due to membrane breakage or damage caused by strong winds.
• Snow Management: If snow falls, strengthen monitoring of the greenhouse, and promptly clear snow from the greenhouse films to prevent damage caused by excessive snow load leading to the collapse of the greenhouse.

2. Cold Protection and Insulation Measures

• Multi-layer Coverage: For overwintering greenhouses, use multi-layer coverage for insulation. If necessary, heat sources such as ground heating or boiler heating can be used to reduce the risk of frost damage.
• Emergency Insulation: For open-field vegetables and medicinal plants, temporary insulation measures such as small arched sheds or direct surface coverage can be used.
• Fruit Tree Insulation: For fruit trees, tea trees, mulberry trees, etc., insulation can be achieved by laying straw, piling soil, or covering the trees.

3. Strengthening Field Crop Management

• Irrigation Management: If the soil is dry, irrigation should be performed before the temperature drops to prevent plants from freezing to death.
• Greenhouse Crop Management: Pay attention to maintaining warmth and reducing humidity, ventilate during the day to increase light, and keep the temperature warm at night to prevent frost damage and cold injury.
• Seedling Management: Strengthen the management of seedling greenhouses, and in areas with favorable conditions, use electric heating cables and supplemental lighting to ensure proper temperature and light conditions.
• Water and Pest Management: Strengthen water management and pest control to ensure the healthy growth of crops.

4. Subsequent Field Management

• Drainage and Moisture Reduction: After the cold, rainy, or freezing weather, promptly clear ditches and canals to drain water and reduce field humidity, preventing waterlogging and improving root vitality.
• Greenhouse Management: Properly manage greenhouse ventilation and humidity reduction, uncover the film to expose plants to light, apply pesticide to prevent diseases, and provide foliar fertilization. During sudden sunny weather after a cold spell, ensure that greenhouse ventilation or warming is done gradually to prevent seedlings from wilting or dying due to rapid changes in temperature.