Plant These Fruits & Vegetables Before Monsoon Hits North India

After many years, India has witnessed early monsoon rains in Maharashtra and other coastal regions. The southwest winds responsible for showers around this time are stronger than ever and breaking all the records. With parts of India experiencing floods and waterlogging, the monsoon is expected to make landfall in North India pretty soon.

This is the best time to prepare the soil for the next harvest. The weather is nice with the temperature not soaring to 40°C. If you are keen on witnessing a boom in your garden or balcony, you must sow seeds of fruits and vegetables right now. Follow the recommendations below and enjoy a good harvest in a couple of months.

Okra

Seeds of bhindi are either sown in February-March or before the monsoon. The vegetable tends to grow faster in humid weather, and rains promote its growth. Once you have prepared the soil, make sure to add it to a large pot. Small pots don’t work for this crop, and wait for okra sticks to mature before harvesting. Keep the soil airy to prevent root rot.

Guava

This is the best time to sow the seeds of guava. Trees planted during the monsoon bear sweet fruits in the winter season. If you are using samplings, make sure they are healthy and you are adding enough fertilisers to the soil. In the initial months, you must also check the soil and plants for any pests and diseases.

Tomatoes

Compared to South India, North Indian humidity during monsoon is manageable, making it the perfect time to sow seeds or plant saplings of tomatoes. Pre-monsoon heat and rains in the later part will help the plant flourish and bear juicy fruits. When you are picking the variety, choose early-maturing ones as they are the safest bet. Look for disease-resistant varieties and make sure the soil is well-drained to prevent fungal infection.

Jamun

If you live in Delhi-NCR, pre-monsoon is a suitable time to plant jamun. The climate is ideal, and fruit ripening will happen during the monsoon. If you plant saplings now, you will witness lush growth quite soon, but you must use pest control and good-quality organic fertilisers to keep diseases at bay. Keep a check on water content as well; overwatering might kill the plant.

Chillies & Capsicums

Green chillies, capsicums and bell peppers can be grown in this weather. They thrive in humid climates. You can directly sow their seeds in the soil and watch the magic of nature unfold. These plants are known to thrive in humid climates, but saplings will need sunlight. Make sure to keep the pot in direct sunlight for at least 6-8 hours. In a few weeks, you will be able to harvest chillies and capsicum from your garden.

Cucumber

Many people don’t know, but cucumbers grow fast. The ideal months for growing them are pre-monsoon and monsoon. You will need to make an effort and provide support to the vines, but everything will be worth it when you taste the hydrating fruit. After sowing seeds, water the plant regularly and add tea compost to witness the growth. The harvest should be ready in 50-70 days.