Sometimes in autumn, temperatures are still just as high as they are in summer. That is because after the summer dog days, large amounts of heat have been stored in the earth. Although direct sunlight has already diminished, people still feel hot. The harvest of autumn corps, just like the functions of the human body, will be affected if it lacks water. Therefore, there is a peasants’ proverb that goes, “the harvest goes hand in hand with thunders and storms”.

After the Start of Autumn, the autumn harvest has already begun in central and southern China, while wheat in northern and northeastern has still yet to mature. During the Start of Autumn, the best crop to grow in north and northeast China is probably buckwheat, which requires a shorter growing time and is very drought-resistant.

The Start of Autumn is also a prime time for planting trees. In autumn, the growth of trees slows down, sometimes even stops. Therefore, although roots may hurt during transplanting, the pain will not affect its inner balance and the tree has sufficient time to heal before the spring.