Most House Plants are tropical plants, and quite like the heat. We may not enjoy it too much and so we think that the plants are also suffering, but the truth is that these are tropical plants and will be growing throughout the summer months provided there is enough water. Covering the top of the soil with leaf compost helps keep the plants cool. Its in Summer that one can have an aromatic garden with Murraya, Jasmine, Raat ki Rani, Gardenias and Michelia Champa.

Look out for diseases such as leaf spot, powdery mildew, and rust.

Move indoor plants away from the midday Sun, the draft of air conditioners, coolers and fans. Be careful of sunning the indoor plants in the midday sun. Its time to put the plants out after sundown, leave them out the entire night and let them get the gentle morning sunshine, and be sure to bring the plants in before the burning heat of the mid-day sun. This is also a good time of the year to add to your indoor plant collection since the nurseries are well stocked with them this time of the year. The plants will need a little more watering than they did in the summer but please stick to the GOLDEN RULE OF WATERING PLANTS. Touch the soil with your finger. If it feels dry then drench the soil so water comes out of the drainage hole at the bottom. Best to water with a sprinkler, so the plants feel its raining on them. If you are in doubt as to whether the soil is wet or dry, then wait another day before you are completely sure and only then water. Spray the plants everyday. Wipe the leaves gently with a soft cotton cloth or sponge, while supporting the leaves with the palm of your hand. One can create and INDOOR GARDEN JUNGLE. Keep the humidity up round the plant by spraying regularly.

Roses: Regular watering, deweeding and hoeing is important. Pinch the chrysanthemums and water regularly.

There is still time to plant Caladium and Cana. Look out for Alocasia and Elephant ears growing at friends and neighbors and beg, borrow or steal a small root or two. Caladium Easter lilies too are hardy and the leaves look fresh all the way upto winter. For a garden, one can mix-and-match of Spider lilies and Zephyr lilies (also called rain lilies for their spectacular show of flowers during the rains), Ginger lilies, Elephant’s ears, Bird of paradise and Canna. For a potted version, plants that lend well to a container can be handpicked, such as Begonias, Blood lily also called Football lily, and Tuberose.. Whether growing in a ground garden or pots, abundance works from the aesthetic point of view. It is ideal to grow a few or more bulbs together; it puts on a much more pleasing spectacle than lone warriors growing out of the soil. Less marks and injuries, big size and more weight is the key. An injured bulb has more chances of rotting in the soil, while a big size indicates a mature bulb and ensures more flowers.

Okra, Bittergourd, Tinda, Sponge Gourd, Sem seeds can be sown. Tomatoe, Eggplant and Onions seedlings can be planted this month.

All the mangoes that are falling from the trees are put to some use, either aam papad, chutney or amchoor.

Saplings for summer flowers can be planted. Since I am a big fan of flowers that grow easily and last the longest, please grow Sada Bahar and portulaca. Sunflowers of all kind can be grown from seed, the Giant Sunflower and Teddy Sunflowers grow very well in sunny areas. The sunflowers face the sun at all times throughout the day, facing east when the day starts and facing west by the end of the day. Also the birds will come and eat the sunflower seeds so it’s a great plant to grow to attract bird and butterflies to your garden.

The only herbs that do well in the Delhi summer are varieties of Basil, Tulsi ( which is also called Holy Basil) Chives, Ashvagandha, Ajwain and Rosemary. Its best to grow Tulsi and Basil in big open mouth pots. So the seeds fall in the soil and sprout in the monsoon. You will never be short of any.

A great time to take care of any bald patches or to plant new grass. If you have bald patches, loosen the soil, and take some grass roots out of the overgrown edges of the lawn. Plant it with a 2’ gap and watch the bald patch fill out in no time. Feed it with neemkhali and bonemeal and/or finely crushed Okhla khaad or Sieved leaf mould/patti khaad. Water and mow regularly. A note of caution: do not leave an open pipe on the lawn. Always sprinkle. An open pipe will nourish the deep rooted dreaded motha and other weeds and will also make the grass grow needlessly long.

Please move your succulents in the semi shade as the strong summer sun is sure to discolour these. The sun is getting warm so water once a week. Please water from below and not from the top of the succulents as it leads to rot.