"Bōshu" Planting Seeds Solar Term

Planting Seeds 芒種 Bōshu is the 9th Solar Term of the year and the 2nd in Summer. It occurs when the suns longitude is at 75°.  It begins around June 5th or 6th annually. In 2026, it started on June 6th and is on until June 20th. I have called it "Planting Seeds," but in English it is also known as "Grain in Ear" and "Grain beards and seeds", among other names. Literally "Boshu" means "awn seeds". 

As the name of this solar term suggests, it marks the period when farmers traditionally began sowing seeds. It is also the period when grains with awns, such as barley and wheat are ready. In one sentence: it is the time when awned grains ripen and seeds are sown. During this period, early summer becomes unmistakable - there is humidity in the air, swelling green and the first signs of the rainy season.

There are three micro seasons in this (and every) solar term. They further describe changes in nature such as the hatching of praying mantises, the rise of fireflies and Japanese plums turning yellow. In this period, the hydrangea flowers usually come into full bloom on the lowlands and start blooming in the mountains. Have you noticed any other changes in nature during the "Planting Seeds" Solar Term?