Is Grain Full always associated with rainy days? This article reveals the climate code of Grain Full for you

The refreshing Beginning of Summer has passed, and we have ushered in the second solar term of summer - Grain Full. When this word is mentioned, people always think of misty water vapor, lingering rain, and fresh air... It can be seen that Grain Full is associated with rainy days. The proverb "Grain Full and Big Full mean that rivers are full" simply and intuitively expresses the rainy characteristics of Grain Full.

Grain Fullness

There are three signs of Grain Full: "The first sign is the growth of bitter herbs, the second sign is the death of grasses, and the third sign is the arrival of autumn wheat." This means that after the Grain Full solar term, the first stage of bitter herbs has lush branches and leaves. Then, some grasses with thin branches that prefer shade begin to wither and die under the strong sunlight. When Grain Full reaches the last stage, wheat begins to mature. The phenological manifestations of Grain Full are closely related to agricultural production. my country has a vast territory, and there are agricultural proverbs related to Grain Full in different regions. The saying "If Grain Full does not rain, there will be less precipitation in the plum season" is widely circulated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It means that the precipitation of Grain Full is closely related to the precipitation of the plum season. If there is less rain at this stage, then there may be less precipitation in the plum season.

(Farmers in Diaolizhuang Village, Huangzhuang Town, Wen County, Henan Province, are checking the growth of wheat. That day is the "Xiaoman" solar term in the lunar calendar. There is a saying in the agricultural proverb that "Xiaoman Xiaoman, the wheat grains are full.")

In the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, there is a saying that "if the Grain Full is not full, the wheat will be in danger", which means that wheat is vulnerable to dry and hot winds during this period, which will lead to insufficient grain filling, shriveled grains, and even reduced yields. For this reason, experienced farmers in my country will check the growth of crops periodically according to the solar terms, not to mention that pest control and farming are all time-regulated. In wheat-producing areas, pest control in wheat fields should be carried out during the Grain Full season to prevent attacks by dry and hot winds, thunderstorms, gales, and hail.

In agricultural proverbs, people use "full" to refer to the abundance of rainfall. Grain Full is the time for topdressing early rice and transplanting mid-season rice in the southern rice-producing areas. Therefore, we must seize this suitable time for rice planting, improve farming and cultivation measures, and pay attention to water storage and conservation in the previous year.

The climate code of Xiaoman

Grain Full is the second solar term in summer and the one with the fastest temperature rise in summer. As the eighth solar term in the 24 solar terms, from the perspective of climate characteristics, during the period from Grain Full to the next Grain in Ear, all parts of the country gradually entered summer, and the temperature difference between the north and the south further narrowed. Precipitation increased further, and severe weather such as rainstorms, thunderstorms, gales, and hail often occurred in this stage. With the arrival of rain and high temperatures, agricultural activities are about to enter the busy season. Summer crops have matured or are close to maturity; spring crops are growing vigorously; and autumn crops are about to be sown. At this time, the wheat fields turn from green to yellow. "Although it is summer at this time, it is autumn for wheat, so it is called wheat autumn." "Grain Full is yellow, and the fields are busy at Grain in Ear." The increase in rainfall also brings the abundance of water in rivers, lakes, and everything is lush at this point.

What should we do during the Grain Full season?

Generally speaking, around Grain Full, the temperature difference between north and south narrows and precipitation increases. However, my country has a large geographical span from north to south, and the climate is different in different geographical locations. We also have a lot to pay attention to in terms of clothing, food, housing and transportation. In terms of clothing, during the Grain Full season, although the temperature rises significantly, the temperature difference between day and night is still large, especially after rain, the temperature often drops significantly, and it is necessary to add clothes in time to prevent colds.

In terms of diet, as we enter the Grain Full season, the weather gradually becomes hot and humid, so it is advisable to eat foods that have the effect of clearing away heat and dampness, such as coix seed, red bean, winter melon, loofah, watermelon, crucian carp, grass carp, etc. are all good choices. For health considerations, we should eat less sweet, fatty, greasy, and dampness-generating and heat-promoting foods, such as fried, smoked, and grilled foods, as well as chili, pepper, shrimp, lamb, etc.

When cooking at home, you can use amaranth, cucumber, eggs, and cold noodles to make a cold dish, which can clear away heat and detoxify, and act as a diuretic and dehumidifier. You can also boil water with coix seed, red bean, pork spine, and wolfberry, which can invigorate the spleen and eliminate dampness, and act as a diuretic and heat-clearing agent. In terms of living, although the temperature can sometimes reach over 30℃ after Grain Full, try not to use fans and air conditioners frequently, and keep the room ventilated frequently. The elderly and patients with bone and joint diseases should pay more attention to keeping the local joints warm.

In terms of sports and travel, it is not advisable to exercise too vigorously during the Grain Full season, especially to avoid sweating. You can choose to walk, jog, Tai Chi and other exercises to sweat slightly. During the exercise, you should increase the number of intervals, each time for 10 to 15 minutes, and drink light salt water, mung bean soup, honeysuckle water, etc. during the intervals.

"Grain fullness means that things are full at this time." The rising temperature, increased precipitation, and lush green plants unfold a beautiful picture of summer for us. During this period, we should live a healthy life with this beautiful festival and usher in the "small perfection" in ordinary life.

(Author: Cheng Fangjie)

Scientific review: This article was scientifically reviewed by Wang Heyi (geography), a first-level teacher at the Second Branch of the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China.

Source: Xinhua News Agency, Guangming Online, Guangming Daily, Jinwanbao