13 Tips for Gardening in Rainy Season: Monsoon Gardening

Monsoon is the best time for plants. The air is full of heat, moisture, and humidity. These are the ideal growth factors for any plant. Is this mean you are free to have a cup of coffee and enjoy the views of dropping rain? Is this so easy? No, definitely not. Why?- There is a big problem with infestations. So what are the tips for gardening in the rainy season?

Monsoon or Rainy season is good for plants and also for tiny pests and fungus who feeds on them. Now we have a clear view of this situation. If you live in Hawaii or India then you are familiar with this condition. Prolonged contact of the moisture increases the fungal and pest attacks. Aphids, mildew, snails, and slugs are very common in rainy Season.

Check out: Bitter Gourd: How to Germinate, Grow and Care bitter melons

An increase in fungus or pest doesn’t mean complete failure in gardening. In fact, there is so much you can do to make your rainy day gardening happy and worthwhile. Happy Gardener should know all these tricks for monsoon gardening.

Can I do gardening in the rain?- Yes, Anyone can do gardening in Rain. It’s just a matter of comfort and expertise you have to deal with such situations. Obviously, Rain means heavy moisture and ultimately this means mud. If you think you are comfortable with this situation then you can definitely do gardening.

One important consideration for gardening in the rain is the selection of plants. Remember every plant is different. Every plant can not survive in heavy rain like situation.

Also, you can unknowingly make the soil hard for plant growth. How? When you walk over soggy soil, It gets compressed by your weight. All the air molecules come out with moving water making the soil hard. So Take care of soil consistency.

How can we take care of plants in the rainy season?

There are many ways to take care of plants in the rainy season. You should be aware of the needs of every plant first. Some plants can survive in heavy moisture while others can’t. So prepare accordingly.

Creating a Polythene shed for terrace gardens in the rainy season can be effective. Whereas Leveling the soil and creating raised beds is highly effective for gardens.

The rainy season is the honeymoon period for several plant-eater insects and pests. You will definitely see a rise in the population of slugs, snails, aphids, mildews, and thrips. Make this the worst season for them with little care to your loving plants.

Tips for Gardening in Rainy Season

1. DRAINAGE
2. WATERING
3. SOIL
4. EARTHWORMS
5. FROGS & TOADS
6. PRUNING & DEADHEADING
7. FERTILIZERS
8. PREPARE RAISED BEDS
9. PESTICIDES
10. PREPARE SHEDS
11. SHIFT or CHANGE POSITION of PLANTS
12. RAINWATER HARVESTING
13. VERTICAL GARDENING

All these tips are for gardening in Monsoon or the rainy season. you should start these preparations at least a month before it actually starts raining. Read carefully to avoid any mistakes.

Before starting the discussion checkout these products you may need. All these products are available online on amazon.

1. Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix
2. Fiskars Steel Bypass Pruners
3. Home ABC Clear poly tarp
4. Organic laboratory Garden Spray
5. Vertical Planters-pots & Containers

Drainage

Proper drainage is a crucial factor for every plant. In monsoon or rainy days, a blocked or choked hard soil can make it hell like situation for your plant. This is just like a situation as if you have invited 20 guests in your home, all drunk, and your toilet is choked. Think of that! On a rainy day, just 1-hour heavy precipitation can make the same to your plants.

How to keep proper Drainage in Garden?

1. Check for any blocked drainage holes in every pot. No matter how big or small a pot is. You must have to do this to prevent root rot.
2. Sometimes you will find the hole completely filled with hard soil or excess of root growth. Remove the soil and cut all the excess roots coming out of the hole. You can use a kitchen knife for this purpose.
3. Now try to push a thin twig, a pen, or anything inside the drainage hole. Make the hole clear. The soil should be loose near the drainage hole. I use a small screwdriver, you can use it if you want.
4. Drainage in the garden mostly depends on the nature and leveling of the soil. Clean the area around the plants and trees and level the ground as much as possible. We’ll discuss the details in the next steps.

Watering

Water is essential for every plant. You can think of it as life or source of life for plants. Still excess of it can cause a disaster to the plants.

Watering should be done carefully especially during monsoon or rainy season. I personally recommend to water only in 15 days and only if necessary. It is a scientifically proven fact that more plants die due to overwatering than underwatering. Therefore, killing a plant without water is harder than to kill it with an excess of water.

How to control Watering in Rainy Season?

1. Regularly check for waterlogging in pots and in the garden. Especially check for any pits near the plants in the garden. These pits can cause waterlogging.
2. Once found drain the water from the pots and fill any pits found.
3. Remove any plates or planters that can store or hold rainwater. If you are using self-watering pots then this is the time to remove the water containers. You will get regular watering naturally so no need for extra support.
4. Water only if the soil gets completely dry and your plants start wilting. yellowing of leaves is a sign of wilting, check for that.

Soil

Caring for soil is always important for any plant lover. It is even more important during the rainy season. Preparing soil should be done before getting the first rainfall of the season.

There are two important aspects of soil preparation for the rainy season. These are- leveling of soil in the garden and loosening of soil near the root ball of every plant.

Also read: Can You use Cactus or Succulent soil for other plants?

How to Prepare soil for Rainy Season?

1. Staring with garden plants, Clean the soil near every plant. Remove any weeds or grass near it. Loose the soil near the plant. Use a small
2. Level the soil slightly inclined outward. This will ensure no stagnant water can hold near the roots.
3. Check out for any pits or holes where water can log. If it is near any tree or plant then fill it with soil or much.
4. If the pit is away from your plants then make it big if possible. This will help in holding frogs and toads and also in rainwater harvesting.
5. Make small trench and tunnels from all over your garden and lawn to this pit. This is an effective way of water management.
6. Cover the roots of plants with organic mulch. You can use dry leaves or other dry kitchen waste for this purpose. This will stop soil erosion during heavy rainfall.

Earthworms

Earthworms are the farmer’s best friend. We all know this since our childhood. Do you know what is the best friend for Earthworms other than us? – It is heat, moisture, and organic matter.

The rainy season is the best time to find tons of earthworms coming out of the soil. Some of them have come up to 5 feet. It is fascinating to see so much of these helpful creatures together in the garden.

Do you know- Heavy rain is not good earthworms? Yes, many videos and posts available online say the rainy season is the breeding time for earthworms. It is acceptable by seeing such growth in their number. But this is not the fact.

Actually, Heavy rain is the worst time for earthworms.  Why? because it creates a quick shortage of air especially oxygen in the soil. They actually come out in search of fresh air to breathe. One thing good with this is you can collect them easily for improving the health of your soil.

1. Collect worms from a region of the high cluster and spread them in other locations.
2. Don’t place earthworm in pits during the rainy season. Either they will run away or they will die there. So Choose a warm, little drier, high ground location without waterlogging for them.
3. You can check my previous post if you want to attract earthworms anywhere specifically. Why are there no Earthworms in my garden?-3 Reasons to know

Frogs, Toads, and Lizards

Some tiny animals can keep your garden healthy during the rainy season. Frogs, toads, and lizards are the best example of such a dependency.

These creatures can control the growth of insects in the garden, especially during the rainy season. But there is a question- How to attract them?

1. You can create trench and pits for flowing rainwater. This will attract frogs and toads.
2. Add some source of light near it. Light will attract bugs and ultimately bugs will attract frogs, toads, and lizards.
3. You can also buy some toads or lizards now. Yes, even I was amazed at first, but believe me, it is true. Some garden stores are now selling live frogs, toads, beetles, lizards, and some other garden-friendly creatures. This will add some fauna to your garden. These animals are important in maintaining the natural biodiversity of the garden.

Pruning & Deadheading

Regular Pruning and deadheading are very important for any plant. Some plants can grow rapidly in the rainy season. Some will die due to diseases or fungal attacks. This is a transition period for your garden.

So controlling excess growth by pruning extra branches is always recommended. Also, you should cut off all the dead and decaying leaves and branches to keep the plant healthy. Decaying organic matter can quickly spread the fungal attack.

Therefore, Pruning and Deadheading are necessary during the rainy season.

How to Prune or deadhead plants in the rainy season?

1. Remember you can prune your plants before the rainy season. Pruning during monsoon can infect your plants.
2. Remove extra branches and leaves using a sharp knife or pruner. Do this at least 7-10 before the start of the rainy season.
3. Inspect every plant carefully for any infected leaf or branch. One single infection spot can destroy your whole plantation during the rainy days.
4. Deadhead these branches and wash the plant with fungicide or pesticide solutions.

I am repeating this once more, Do this before it started raining. Avoid damaging your plant during heavy rain.

How to deadhead marigolds in summer and winter?

Fertilizers

You may have seen many videos telling the necessity of fertilization during the rainy season. Some say to fertilize with organic fertilizers and others say to use the chemical ones. But is it really correct?

Should you Fertilize your plants during the rainy season?  

No, Strictly not. In fact, Fertilizing plants during the rainy season can actually damage your plants. There is a scientific explanation for this consideration.

• Plants stop consuming fertilizers when the soil is heavily wet and soggy. Too much moisture interferes with the natural osmotic pressure of the roots. So to prevent the loss of nutrients and maintaining the turbidity, plants generally stop the intake of fertilizers and other minerals.

Now, if you add any fertilizer then either it will flow away with running water or change the soil ph rapidly to harm the plants. Therefore, being a professional gardener I would strictly recommend to avoid fertilization during rainy days.

Ok, if you can fertilize the plants then how to keep them healthy. This is an obvious question you can ask and yes, I have an answer for you.

• Apply quality organic or Inorganic fertilizers or a mixture of both to each pot and plant- 15-20 days before the first rain.
• Use should use slow-release fertilizers like manure and organic compost. It will feed the plants for the next 2 months
• During Rainy season, You can spray NPK and Epsom salt over the leaves. This will feed the plant and keep them healthy. Spraying is the best option for fertilization during the rainy season. Natural pores are open during these days due to high humidity. Plants will absorb nutrients faster through leave and soft stems.

Prepare raised Beds

Raised beds are great options for plantation during the rainy season. You can adapt this method for your terrace garden as well as for outdoor gardening.

How are raised beds helpful in the rainy season?

1. Raised beds are best to avoid waterlogging. This will save the plant from root rot disease.
2. Raised beds also attract earthworms. They always move toward a high location to avoid drowning. Earthworms will keep the soil soft and fertilize naturally.
3. Proper preparation of raised beds can even regenerate the fertility of dead patches of your garden.

How to prepare raised beds for the rainy season?

This is something you should do weeks before it starts raining. Preparing raised beds during a rainy day is never a good option.

1. Choose a perfect location where the sunlight is appropriate for the plants you choose.
2. Make the frame strong enough to hold the weight of soil and plants along with rain.  You can use wood or metal sheets with strong holders.
3. Second, choose a good drainage soil mixture for raised beds. You should add 25% compost or organic kitchen waste with 20% sand and 50% garden soil to fill the raised beds. The rest of 5% is for Mulch on the top. You should treat the muck carefully with contact fungicide for protection.
4. The mulch will protect the soil from erosion and the seed from being washed off by a splash of water drops.

Pesticides

As we have discussed in the starting, monsoon is the honeymoon period for pests and insects. So you should prepare your garden for this situation.

1. Start with applying a solution of 5ml neem oil, 10 ml liquid soap, and 1l water to every plant once in a week.
2. Repeat this step once every week for the next 2 months. It means you have to spray your plants nearly 8-10 times during the rainy season.
3. Now, If you still find any disease or rot in any of your plants. Then Quickly separate that one from others and treat accordingly.
4. If you want something more effective and better than neem oil and soap then you can use any contact fungicide.
5. Use a mixture of 2 gm contact fungicide with 1l water and spray over the plants regularly.
6. I will recommend spraying fungicide every time you prune or deadhead any plant.
7. The best time to use pesticides is in the early morning or the evening. Don’t use this mixture during hot day time.

Prepare Sheds

A good quality shed is always necessary for protecting plants. On rainy days the use of shed is a necessity. Plants like cactus and succulents can strive in heavy rainfall. So you should place those under a shed.

Also, New seedlings should be placed under a proper shed. These seedlings can get easily damaged by raindrops. So Move them inside at least a week in advance.

How to prepare a Shed for gardening in the rainy season?

1. The first and most important task is the selection of a good location. Choose a flat spot where the chance of waterlogging is very low. If the ground is not even, then level it first before starting. You can use 50% sand and 50% soil for leveling.
2. Choose Transparent plastic sheets for shed preparation. Plastic will stop rainwater to come inside directly. Sunlight can easily pass through the transparent sheets. It is helpful in proper bio functioning for every plant.
3. Make the shed inclined to the edges so that water can flow easily over it. You can cover the rain facing side of the shed completely. This will prevent any direct splash.
4. Remember if you have some succulents or cactus or even new seedlings then get ready to prepare a small plastic shed.

Shift, Change or Move the plants

You should move the water-loving plants toward low ground areas and others away from waterlogging. This can only be done if your plants are in pots or containers. Otherwise, you don’t have to do anything more.

One thing to do during the rainy season is to move the indoor plants to open for a few days. They love humidity and moisture. This shift can increase their growth rate. Move them inside after a week or so. They will love this change- Try and share your views.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater can be precious especially for those who face water scarcity at some point of the year. If you harvest the rainwater effectively then you can save a lot of money throughout the year on gardening. But how to do that?

The best way for rainwater harvesting

1. Start 1 month before the rainy season. Dig a hole in your garden. It should be aways from your precious plants and trees.
2. Make the pit or hole at least 4-5 feet deep.
3. Fill the 6inch bottom with pure clean sand. This will filter any dirt from the flowing water.
4. Above this layer place a 6-inch layer of wood ash and charcoal pieces. This layer will filter the germs and bacterial traces and make the water clean.
5. If you want to use the harvested water for household then just leave the pit as it is. Just place a cover over it so that no one falls in it.
6. Else for improving underground water and keep your plants healthy. You should fill the rest 80% of your pit with organic matter. Don’t worry you have a whole month for this job. Dump your kitchen waste daily in the pit. Avoid dumping of plastic or any non-biodegradable matter.
7. Mix everything Just 1 week before the monsoon. You should mix this compost like mater with 20% sand and 2% fungicide. After that turn, it upside down.
8. After two days Press all the matter inside the pit. Use anything heavy to make some space. Again put some sand over it and your small rainwater harvesting pond is ready.
9. Now, Its time to make trenches and tunnels to flow water to this artificial pond. These trenches will draw water from all over the garden.
10. Leave this pit as it is for the whole rainy season.

This pond or pit has two advantages.

1. Prevent waterlogging in the garden.
2. Effectively save rainwater for future use.

Vertical Gardening 

Vertical gardening is very effective during the rainy season. It is effective in preventing waterlogging as well as keeps snails and slugs away.

This method sn be used interface gardens as well as balcony gardens. Vertical gardens are not very effective in open lawn areas. One problem is to maintain the structure during heavy rain. So think accordingly.

You can place your pots or containers in vertical hangers or holders. These are costly but effective gardening accessories.

Special Tips for gardening in Rainy Season

1. Use gums with pesticides to make them sticky. Running water can wash off pesticides quickly. So using garden specific gums can do this job. DOn’t worry these gums are specially designed for use on plants. Garden pesticide gums are very low-cost products. You can find these in a few bucks in an online store.
2. You can use eggshell for snails and slugs. First Preheat the shells to avoid any fungal attack. Heating also makes the shell more brittle. The sharp edges of eggshell act as a knife for soft-bodied creatures like slugs and snails. They usually avoid passing over it.
3. Sprinkle the crushed shells around the plants and pots. No need to mix with soil. just place these over the soil and surface to create a barrier for slugs and snails.
4. Remove any planter trays below the pots. This can hold rainwater and cause root rot.
5. Strictly avoid walking over garden soil during the rainy season. This can make the soil hard and solid. Also, this will kill any earthworm wondering around for a safe place.

Final Words,

The rainy season is a great time for gardening. If you plan your garden for the rainy season carefully then you will definitely get greener, healthier garden in the next season.

Today I have discussed all these Tips for Gardening in Rainy Season. If you find any of these helpful then let me know. Also, share your views and suggestions for the next topic of discussion. Till then Keep reading Keep gardening.

Live green!