Monsoon and Gardening
Posted: May 31st, 2013, 8:20 pm
Monsoon mean respite in temperatures and the beginning of another active growing period....Following are some gardening activities for monsoon that i could think of and learned about.
Members are requested to share their experiences...
1. Monsoon is good time for cuttings and air-Layering.
a) As i experienced it is the best time to plant Nanthra cuttings.
b) Dahlia Cuttings
Members are requested to share their experience about other specific plants.
2. It is also the time for yet again planting the summer annuals such as portulaca, Celosia Marigolds....If you are expecting heavy downpours or flooding conditions in your garden, start these plants in a sheltered site for planting out late August.
3. Ensure good drainage conditions in your garden. Cloud burst phenomenon of monsoon can flood best drained gardens. Especially care for plants which do not like wet feet. If possible relocate them to a sheltered site such as bulbs which rot due to soggy conditions.
4. Ensuring water ways/ Proper slopes etc can be beneficial for quick water drainage.
5. Stake taller plants as monsoon can be violent.
6. Grass, weeds and other plants will show an abrupt growth in monsoon and post monsoon( Lower temperatures & water availability)...requiring jobs such as mowing, weeding and pruning.
7. Monsoon means end of spider mite season.....however post monsoon do ensure good humid conditions to avoid re-emergence.
8. Monsoon would mean end of Zinnias due to mildew
9. Monsoon is good time for planting trees.
10. Avoid chemical fertilizers in active monsoon as it will be leached away.
11. Watch out for pest/mosquito re-emergence.
12. Watch out for fungus, make available fungicide. Ensure good air passage to reduce chance of fungi buildup.
13. Replace your delicate plants at a sheltered site.
14. Trim your trees and plants before the rain starts
15. Special care is required for roses to pass through monsoon. Regular fungicide sprays would be required.
16. Lift Dahlia Tubers from ground/Pot Them
Members are requested to share their experiences...
1. Monsoon is good time for cuttings and air-Layering.
a) As i experienced it is the best time to plant Nanthra cuttings.
b) Dahlia Cuttings
Members are requested to share their experience about other specific plants.
2. It is also the time for yet again planting the summer annuals such as portulaca, Celosia Marigolds....If you are expecting heavy downpours or flooding conditions in your garden, start these plants in a sheltered site for planting out late August.
3. Ensure good drainage conditions in your garden. Cloud burst phenomenon of monsoon can flood best drained gardens. Especially care for plants which do not like wet feet. If possible relocate them to a sheltered site such as bulbs which rot due to soggy conditions.
4. Ensuring water ways/ Proper slopes etc can be beneficial for quick water drainage.
5. Stake taller plants as monsoon can be violent.
6. Grass, weeds and other plants will show an abrupt growth in monsoon and post monsoon( Lower temperatures & water availability)...requiring jobs such as mowing, weeding and pruning.
7. Monsoon means end of spider mite season.....however post monsoon do ensure good humid conditions to avoid re-emergence.
8. Monsoon would mean end of Zinnias due to mildew
9. Monsoon is good time for planting trees.
10. Avoid chemical fertilizers in active monsoon as it will be leached away.
11. Watch out for pest/mosquito re-emergence.
12. Watch out for fungus, make available fungicide. Ensure good air passage to reduce chance of fungi buildup.
13. Replace your delicate plants at a sheltered site.
14. Trim your trees and plants before the rain starts
15. Special care is required for roses to pass through monsoon. Regular fungicide sprays would be required.
16. Lift Dahlia Tubers from ground/Pot Them