A little drizzle or a sudden downpour, and Bengalureans reach for a cosy blanket and a steaming cup of coffee. But for gardeners, it’s the time of the year when terraces, balconies and tiny backyards come alive with fresh promise. July’s cool showers and moist soil make it the perfect time to plant a sapling. Whether you’re growing herbs for your kitchen, flowers to brighten rainy mornings, or leafy greens for your garden, nature lends a helping hand this time of year. Gardening experts say the weather creates ideal conditions for healthy growth, and seasoned home gardeners believe the monsoon does half the work for you. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to start your gardening journey, this rainy weekend could be your invitation to dig in and watch something beautiful grow.Why July is the month every gardener waits for“Once the monsoon sets in Bengaluru, the weather becomes cooler and the relative humidity is higher,” says Dr M Jagadeesh, Joint Director of Horticulture, Bengaluru. He adds, “The season makes conditions ideal for seed sowing, planting saplings and even grafting because the survivability of plants is much better. During hot, dry weather, survival rates drop drastically, but June and July provide very congenial conditions for germination and healthy plant growth.” Reflecting on the joy of the rainy season, Arpitha Lankesh, an entrepreneur with a knack for home gardening, says, “You’ll have to try out many options in your garden to see what suits your surroundings. This monsoon is a good time to cut back plants and let them regrow. Because the soil retains moisture, you don’t have to water as much, and it’s also a great time to plant new saplings.”‘One must understand their own space before dividing into the world of plants’What’s the biggest lesson gardening teaches you? For Arpitha, every home is different, and so is every garden. Many plants are marketed as “indoor plants,” but she believes success comes from understanding your own space rather than following labels. “People say indoor plants thrive anywhere, but I’ve realised that’s not always true. You have to bring a plant home and see if it actually suits your space. Even if there’s no direct sunlight, good airflow and ventilation can make all the difference,” she says.Experimenting, she adds, often leads to pleasant surprises. Despite having a largely shaded garden, she harvested an abundant crop of green chillies. “We were surprised by how many chillies one plant produced, even though our garden gets very little sunlight. That’s what gardening teaches you. You have to keep trying, observe what your plants are telling you, and discover what works best in your own surroundings,” she shares.Don’t let the rains fool you: What not to doOverwatering is one of the most common mistakes gardeners make during the rainy season. “Before watering, always check if the soil is still moist. If it is, wait another day. Check for proper drainage holes in pots because excess water should never remain around the roots,” says Dr Jagadeesh. Arpitha echoes the same and adds, “I let the soil and leaves tell me when a plant needs water instead of following a fixed watering schedule.” Advising against planting papaya during the monsoon, Dr Jagadeesh says waterlogging can trigger fungal diseases such as collar rot. Tiny leafy vegetable seeds, too, are vulnerable and can easily be washed away by heavy rain. For home-grown vegetables and medicinal plants, he recommends avoiding chemical pesticides and using organic alternatives, such as neem oil and other biopesticides, to manage pests and diseases.Five gardening mistakes to avoidn Overwatering after rainn Using pots without drainagen Keeping plants in deep shaden Overcrowding containersn Overusing fertilisersBeginner’s guide: What to plant this monsoonAnnual flowers like marigolds begin producing buds around a month after planting and bloom profusely through the season. Dr Jagadeesh says, “Perennials like jasmine and crossandra, once established, continue to bloom year after year.” Flowers: l Marigold l Crossandra l Jasmine l Rain lily Kitchen garden: l Chillies l Tomatoes l Leafy greens l Herbs Trees: l Mango l Sapota l Jackfruit l CoconutSix reasons to plant during the monsoon n Moist soiln Less wateringn Low water stressn Faster root growthn Beginner-friendly seasonn Reduced transplant shock
