Time to shower care on your garden

Amarjeet Singh Batth

Monsoon rains bring the temperatures down, increase humidity and improve growth conditions for plants. For a novice it may be the time to relax as there is no pressing need to water the plants frequently. But for an experienced gardener the monsoon season is not the time to leave the garden on its own. Even though the climatic conditions are favourable for plants, they still need constant attention and care. Actually, you have to be extra cautious about plants during the rainy season as surplus water, strong winds and occasional hail may severely damage your cherished plants. Here are some tips for garden care in the rainy season:  

Conserve rain water 

Rest assured that over the next couple of months there will be more water in your garden  than the ground soil is able to absorb. This usually leads to water logging which can make the plants rot. So whatever be the size of your garden, have a rain-water harvesting pit in its vicinity for speedy discharge of water and recharging the groundwater table. Letting the rainwater go down the drains is wastage of a precious natural resource.  

Drainage 

Good drainage prevents water logging and is key to successful gardening during the monsoon season. Well-drained soil is necessary for the health of plants. There is a saying, “Best jungles grow on hill slopes not in wetlands”. A good gradient is the pre-requisite for a planned garden. Rainy season is the right time to check the existing gradient of your garden. It also offers an opportunity to carry out corrective measures. 

Watering 

Water requirement of  plants cannot be generalised, it varies from plant to plant, soil to soil. Different factors like plant age, size, season, weather conditions and the growth phase of a particular plant decide the amount and frequency of watering needed by a plant. With high humidity the transpiration rate also slows down. So the water requirement also reduces during monsoons but that does not mean that the plants need less water. Water your plants keeping all these factors in mind rather than assuming that rain water is sufficient to keep the plants healthy. 

Managing pots 

Always prefer earthen pots and never paint these. Always keep the soil surface in pots moist. As a thumb rule, observe a plant in the morning, if the leaves are drooping it means the plant is dehydrated and needs watering.

The pots lying outside often get water logged. While buying a pot ensure that there is a pot hole at the bottom and the same must be opened and covered with stone. A layer of sand gravel should be put at the base of a pot before the pot mixture is settled and plantation is done. Also, when the root system in the pot develops extensively it leaves no space for water to seep in. This also leads to water logging in pots. The pots, especially those having exotic plants, that are kept indoors or in verandah must be brought out for a rain wash on rotation basis.   

Caring for the annuals 

All annuals need good drainage, therefore, prepare flower beds not more than inch deep than the normal garden level. Deep flower beds cause water logging as the rate of evaporation falls substantially due to high atmospheric humidity in the monsoon season. 

CHRYSANTHEMUM: In July terminal cuttings are taken from root stock by removing the basal leaves and are treated with a growth hormone and planted in a rooting medium (one part of sand, and preferably, one part of burnt rise husk). These are kept under shade and moisture is maintained.  Captain (0.3 %) is administered to avoid rotting of cuttings.  These cuttings get ready in a month’s time to be transferred in pots.   

TREES, SHRUBS AND CLIMBERS: Trees, shrubs and climbers must be given a dose of well-rotten farm yard manure in Aug-Sept. The removal of dead wood and selective pruning can be done to maintain good shape of the plants.  

It is also the right time to plant new fruit plants (all evergreen) like mango, citrus fruits, guava, amla, jamun etc. However, avoid planting plum, pear, peach and grapes. It’s time to give a second dose (first in Dec / Jan) of farm yard manure in Aug- Sept. 

VEGETABLES: In rainy season vegetables should be sown on raised beds 9’-10’ to avoid water logging. Be careful of pest and disease attack.