Hearing the patter of the rain falling on the new leaves of your recently planted sapling is a sheer joy. This makes the monsoons the best time for garden lovers who can watch their plants bloom with nature’s assistance. While this season is the most conducive to grow plants, a little extra care is also required to nurture them. Harpreet Ahluwalia gives us pointers on how to make the most of this season…
- Plants in pots and beds require special attention as water-logging and stagnation can prevent proper drainage. Raise the flower beds so that excess water can flow down while retaining moisture.
- The low temperature and humidity during rains create an ideal environment for inducing growth in plants, but, the humid weather also brings in prolific growth of weeds. Hence, constant de-weeding is crucial.
- Pruning is another important task to do after summers. Doing this before the monsoon sets in helps in faster growth of plants. Removal of dead growth encourages plants to grow fresh roots.
- Use organic pesticides and insecticides to protect your plants from worms and insects.
- Allow earthworms to remain in the soil as they help aerate the plants and nitrate the soil.
- Keep all the indoor plants in rain at least once a week as rain water rejuvenates plants.
- Fertilisation is one of the key processes in gardening. Add well decomposed organicm manure to plants while re-potting them.
While monsoon is good for roses, balsam, zinnia, cosmos, celosia and palms, it is tough on chrysanthemum mother plants, coleus, succulents, and cacti. Th is is also the best time to work with bonsai plants. Plants like zephyranthes, day lily, tube rose, spider lily bloom during these months. Further, transplanting of monsoon and early autumn vegetables like lady fi ngers, gourds, pumpkins and beans can be done when the
seedlings become ready. Sweet potato cuttings can be grown as well, while tomato saplings can be sown in pots under a covered patio/balcony.
So, grow more plants and sit back and see your garden spring to life!