Farmers in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province have started the autumn harvest of lotus roots and water chestnuts, local media reported on Sept 21.

Farmers started picking lotus roots at the lotus pond in Shuangshan Island at the end of August. The harvest will span months.

The best time to harvest lotus roots is around the Mid-Autumn Festival when the roots are crisp and provide the highest nutritional value.

A farmer washes a lotus root. [Photo/WeChat account: zjgfabu]

Shen Xiuqin, one of the water chestnut growers in Chaonan village, Deji subdistrict, has planted 2.53 hectares of water chestnuts. Nourished by the water from the Yangtze River, her water chestnuts are crispy and sweet.

A farmer picks water chestnuts. [Photo/WeChat account: zjgfabu]

The harvest season for water chestnuts in Zhangjiagang usually lasts from early July to the end of October. During this period, local farmers can pick more than 500 kilograms of water chestnuts per day and enjoy good sales in the city.