Rain Showers bring Flowers

In my garden, after a rainfall, you can faintly, yes, hear the breaking of new blooms.” —Truman Capote

For as long as I can remember, in our part of the world, monsoon has been a much awaited season, especially for the majority of people who are into agriculture and cultivation. People pray for the rains and rejoice when the monsoons mark their entry into the weather system. I am one of the millions who look forward to the rainy days for very obvious reasons. This is the perfect season for all gardeners. It gives you some time to pause, sit back and watch your plants grow, watch the rains do their job by replenishing your garden and giving the much needed moisture boost it has been waiting for. Repotting, replacing …oh the joys of gardening. 

As with everything in life, monsoon too comes with it’s woes. We all know the famous quote ‘when it rains it pours’. 

With the rains comes excess moisture, infections and pests so we do need to prepare for the downpour. 

Preparing your garden for this season would be the first thing to take care of. Loosening the soil tomake sure the roots are getting enough air circulation. Checking to see there is no clogging in your garden. 

Rains and fungal diseases come hand in hand and the only we we can avoid any damage is by pruning the plants. This would mean removing all the dead leaves and cutting the plants back a little just so they don’t feel clustered by their own foliage. Basically trying to give your plants some space to enjoy the showers.

There are those plants that love to dance in the rain and then there those that just don’t…so a little bit of shuffling around might save you a few plants. I’ve put all of my Geraniums away from direct rain as they do not like wet feet. Excess water forces the air out of the soil and the roots start to rot. 

Succulents, mine have all gone under cover and will stay that way for the next two months. They do not require much watering during the monsoons because the rainfall gives them enough humidity to grow. If the soil is wet and there is too much moisture in the air, succulents succumb to root rot. Put them away under a shed or indoors near a window that gives them indirect sunlight.

 

Pay attention to your roses too. They love the sun and hate having soggy wet soil. If you cannot move them to a safe spot, make sure the pots have good drainage so that water does not get logged. 

Beautiful Gerberas, they love a sunny sheltered spot with well drained soil. Extreme wet conditions can quickly cause these plants to rot so try moving them to a safer dryer area. 

Carnations, during their flowering season should be kept dry so during the heavy rains, they too need to be kept safely away. Wet buds make them susceptible to fungal diseases. Now there are some plants that just thrive in the monsoons so this is where we get to shuffle - again. 

Peace Lillies, Hydrangeas, Hibiscus, Balsam, Primrose, Phlox, Calla Lily, Crepe Myrtle, Bleeding Hearts, Blanket Flowers, Asters, Bird of Paradise, Brazilian Plume, Jasmine…..they don’t just love the rain, they thrive. 

Coming to your interiors, your indoor plants have been looking out the windows long enough, waiting for the day you take them for an outing and the time is now. Rainwater is a great tonic for all plants and your indoor plants will thank you for letting them take in all the moisture they need. Just be mindful and keep them away from direct sunlight as that would burn their tender leaves. 

If you have some space in your garden and are keen to add some fruit trees like Mango, Guava, Peach and Apricot , this is the right time to do so. Plant the saplings now and by the time the rains are over, you will have you sturdy young fruit trees.

Planning a vegetable garden? Why not? Cucumbers, Leafy Greens, Okra, Carrots, Bitter Gourd, Beans and Radish can all be sown during the monsoons. Throw in some herb seeds like Mint, Coriander, Basil, Thyme, Oregano and Sage. Make your own little garden deck and grow your own food and revel in the satisfaction of reaping what you sow.

Now that you’ve sown your veggies and shuffled your plants, pruned and fed them, it is time to sow some flowers seeds. Planting them now will give you the blooms in Autumn so do not delay in planting your seeds for Marigolds, Zinnia, Gomphrena, Chrysanthemums, Cosmos and Calendulas, Nasturtiums and Dianthus to name a few.

Next time you awaken to the sound of the rain, get on your feet and start your day the Green Owl way, into the garden, into nature, nurture your soul and be thankful for all the beauty around us.

Happy gardening folks