Grain Buds

The Grain Buds falls on May 20, 21 or 22. In North China, "buds" means the fullness of grain, and the Grain Buds means that the grains are growing "full" but are not yet at their fullest. In South China, it indicates an abundance of rain. The period between this solar term and the next is the best time for crops to grow and for animals to breed. Silkworms now begin spinning cocoons.

A variety of wild vegetables sprout at this time. The tender leaves can be seen all over the mountain. Wildly grown vegetables are becoming popular as people think they have health benefits. On the mountains and in the fields, many people take a vegetable basket and forage for these wild vegetables.