During the rainy season, plants grow vigorously and produce abundant fruits and flowers if properly cared for. The rainfall provides plants with ample water and creates a conducive environment for their growth. However, along with rainwater, plants need to receive the right amount of fertiliser/manure. If fruit, flower, or vegetable plants are in the garden and optimal growth is desired, organic manure should be applied. The rainy season is characterised by heavy downpours that not only saturate the soil in pots but also wash away essential nutrients. This is why plants require significant nutrients during this season to support their growth and development.
Fertilise Plants In the Rainy Season with the Following
At this time we prepare the soil for the pots. Mix these fertilisers in time.
Cow Dung Manure
This mixture contains essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are necessary for plant growth. When preparing soil for pots and gardens, incorporate aged cow dung manure into the soil and apply a few handfuls of this fertilizer once every month. It’s essential to pay special attention not to use fresh cow dung in plant soil, as it contains higher levels of ammonia, which can harm the leaves. Instead, aged cow dung manure provides a balanced supply of nutrients without risking damage to the plants. By including this fertilizer in the soil preparation process, you can ensure that your plants receive the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development, fostering lush foliage and abundant blooms in your garden.
Vermicompost
During the monsoon season, vermicompost made from earthworms proves beneficial for plants. This fertilizer contains ample amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, essential nutrients for plant growth. Vermicompost helps enhance the fertility of the soil. After sprinkling two handfuls of vermicompost evenly on the soil surface, thoroughly water the plants. By incorporating vermicompost into the soil, gardeners can ensure that their plants receive the necessary nutrients for robust growth and development, promoting lush foliage and vibrant blooms in their gardens.
Asthi Churna
Asthi Churna, also known as bone meal, is a powdered form of crushed bones of animals. It is utilized as a fertilizer to enrich the soil with essential nutrients required for plant growth. The application of Asthi Churna accelerates the development of plant roots, leading to vigorous growth. It facilitates faster germination of seeds and promotes the abundant flowering and fruiting of plants. To incorporate Asthi Churna into the soil effectively, remove two inches of soil from the pot, mix half a handful of Asthi Churna powder thoroughly, and then replant or sow seeds. This ensures that plants receive adequate nutrition for optimal growth and productivity, enhancing the overall health and vitality of the garden.
Gypsum
Gypsum, a mineral compound containing calcium sulfate, is a beneficial soil amendment for all plants, especially during the rainy season. Adding two tablespoons of gypsum powder to the soil helps improve its structure and fertility. Gypsum aids in breaking up heavy clay soils, enhancing drainage, and allowing better air circulation around plant roots. Moreover, it assists in reducing soil compaction, promoting root growth, and preventing waterlogging, thus mitigating the risk of root rot and other water-related plant diseases. By evenly mixing gypsum powder into the soil and immediately watering it, gardeners can improve soil quality and create a conducive environment for healthy plant growth and development, ensuring thriving gardens even during the rainy season.
Things To Remember During Use Of Manures and Fertilisers
- Before applying fertilizer, remove any grass or other plants that have grown separately. It’s important to clear out any unwanted vegetation to ensure that the nutrients from the fertilizer are absorbed efficiently by the intended plants, allowing them to thrive without competition from weeds or other unwanted growth.
- Once the soil around the plant has dried slightly, apply organic fertilizer and water generously. This timing ensures that the plant is in an optimal condition to absorb nutrients from the fertilizer while also preventing any potential nutrient burn that could occur if the soil is too wet. Providing water after applying the organic fertilizer helps to activate the nutrients and allows them to penetrate the soil, providing essential nourishment to the plant roots.
- Before applying fertilizer, create a trench at a shallow depth, separating it from the upper layer of the soil, and then add the fertilizer into the trench. Afterwards, cover the fertilizer with soil. This method helps prevent the fertilizer from being washed away during rainfall, ensuring that the nutrients remain accessible to the plant roots for absorption. Maintaining the fertilizer at a slightly lower level within the soil stays protected and effectively nourishes the plants without being displaced by water runoff.
- It is important to vary the type of fertiliser used each time according to the plant’s requirements, rather than consistently applying the same fertilizer. By diversifying the types of fertilizers applied, you ensure that the plants receive a balanced and comprehensive array of nutrients essential for their growth and development. Different fertilizers contain varying concentrations of nutrients, so alternating between them helps prevent nutrient deficiencies and promotes healthier plant growth
- Applying fungicidal spray on the plants every 10-15 days to prevent fungal infections is advisable. Additionally, to protect the plants from pests, it is recommended to apply neem oil spray.
- It is imperative to ensure proper aeration of the plants at this stage to allow them to receive adequate airflow and prevent the soil from remaining excessively damp for extended periods. Good aeration promotes optimal oxygenation of the roots and helps maintain the soil’s moisture levels within a healthy range.
Correct Time To Provide Fertiliser/Manure To Plants
- When the soil in the garden or pots is dry, it’s the opportune time to fertilise the plants and water them using a spray pump. This practice ensures that the nutrients from the fertiliser are effectively absorbed by the plant’s roots, promoting healthy growth and development. Additionally, watering the plants after applying fertiliser helps in distributing the nutrients evenly throughout the soil, ensuring that each plant receives its required share.
- During continuous rainfall, it’s advisable to refrain from fertilizing the plants, as applying fertilizer during this time can increase the risk of fungal infections and leaching of nutrients from the soil. The excess moisture in the soil caused by rain can create a favourable environment for fungal growth, which may adversely affect the plant’s health. Moreover, the nutrients present in the soil may get washed away along with the rainwater, reducing their availability to the plants.
- When the weather is favourable, it is advisable to fertilize the plants as per their specific requirements, typically once or twice a month.