This year, March 5 marks "Jingzhe", which literally means “the awakening of insects”. It is the third of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar and alludes to the fact that animals sleeping in winter are awakened by a spring thunder and that the earth begins returning to life.

With temperatures rising and rainfall increasing, farmers across Shandong province in East China are hard at work during this important time for spring agriculture.

A farmer sprays plants with insecticide in Qingzhou, Shandong province on a spring day. [Photo/dzwww.com]

A woman grows Chinese cabbage at a greenhouse in Qingzhou, Shandong province on March 4. [Photo/dzwww.com]

A farmer in Qingzhou, Shandong province toils in the sun on March 4. [Photo/dzwww.com]

With temperatures rising, farmers are hard at work across Shandong province. [Photo/dzwww.com]

Farmers harvest ginger at a plantation in Qingzhou, Shandong province on March 4. [Photo/dzwww.com]

Farmers work in the fields in Qingzhou, Shandong province on March 4. [Photo/dzwww.com]