Beginning of Summer         May 6 ~ May 20
It is the first solar term of summer. The Chinese name of the term is 'Li Xia'. 'Li' means beginning and 'Xia' means grown-up. This indicates when summer comes, the grain planted in spring has grown up. It is summer now, but sweltering days are yet to come.

Minor Abundance (Grain Full)          May 21 ~ June 5
It is the second solar term of summer. The winter wheat planted late last autumn in Huanghe River area is filling out its ears. The Chinese name 'Xiao Man' indicates plumpness of grains. Farmers begin to wait for the harvest time.

Grain In Beard         June 6 ~ June 20
It is the third solar term of summer. It marks the end of the grain-growing season and reminds the farmer that it is the last chance fro sowing. A proverb has it that 'Once the time of Grain in Beard passes, it will be no use planting.'
It becomes dry and hot. Drizzle period ends and there is thundershower in the afternoon.

Summer Solstice           June 21 ~ July 6
It is the fourth solar term of summer. In the northern hemisphere, the first day of the term has the longest day of the year. In the southern hemisphere, winter and summer solstices are exchanged. 
  
Slight Heat          July 7 ~ July 22
It is the fifth solar term of summer. In the period, it is very hot, but not the hottest. The second rice crops are planted, and the first crops are ripe, golden in color.
   
Great Heat         July 23 ~ August 6
It is the last solar term of summer. This is the period when the heat is greatest in the year. This is a good time for planting the second rice crop, and the fields need more water. If there is a drought, then farmers have to stop planting. But if there is typhoon and too much rain, the crops will be destroyed.

Editor: Wing

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