Monsoon season is officially here, and that added moisture – and coolness – is both a blessing and a challenge for gardeners.
The question we most commonly get at Warner’s Nursery during monsoon season is how often to water your plants. It can be tricky to judge this because monsoon seasons can be erratic, with lots of rain one week followed by very little the next.
One rule of thumb is that it needs to rain at least an inch a week to provide enough water for your garden.
If the ground is saturated from recent rains, be judicious about watering, particularly with your annuals. Overwatering can lead to root disease. However, new perennial and tree plantings still need to be watered regularly to ensure they establish roots properly.
This is also a great time to consider adding a rain barrel to your garden if you don’t already have one. Rainwater harvesting has multiple benefits for your garden and your wallet:
- Using captured rainwater means you don’t have to use tap water, lowering your monthly water bill.
- It’s the best water for your gardens because it is not treated with any chemicals.
- It helps reduce soil erosion.
- It increases general water conservation and helps prevent local flooding.
- It can make your plants more drought resistant because it forces damaging salts down and away from your plants’ roots. This allows for greater root growth and water uptake, increasing drought tolerance.
Mulching also plays a role in protecting your plants during monsoon season. Typically we talk about adding wood chips, straw, or other materials as a way of retaining moisture for your plants during drier seasons. But mulch also helps reduce erosion from rainstorms and acts as a barrier during heavy rains.
Finally, there are a couple of additions you’ll find to your garden during monsoon season – mushrooms and mildew. One is relatively benign (at least as far as your garden is concerned), and the other one you need to address as soon as possible.
For the most part, mushrooms are a sign of healthy soil and don’t pose a threat to your plants. However, you might want to remove them for aesthetic reasons or if you’re worried about young children or pets eating them. The best ways to get rid of mushrooms are by raking them up or using an organic fungicide.
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that can spread quickly in the damp conditions of the monsoon season. Organic fungicides, particularly those containing sulfur or neem oil, are effective in treating powdery mildew. A product like Fertilome Triple Action Spray can be very useful. It’s crucial to remove and destroy any part of your plant that has mildew. Make sure not to put the infected parts into your compost, as this can spread the disease.
By following these tips, you can navigate the challenges of the monsoon season and keep your garden healthy and thriving. If you have any questions about managing your garden during monsoon season or throughout the year, please visit us at Warner’s Nursery – we’d love to help!
Happy Gardening,
Misti