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I
t is a great pleasure and blessing to have a vegetable
garden throughout the year.The charm of freshly plucked
vegetables from one’s garden is very familiar to all of us
in Tea.
Summer vegetables need more attention and care than winter
vegetables, for proper growth and production. Heavy rain and
pests are the two main hindrances. With a little care and
proper planning, however, one can have a successful garden
during the summer also.
Water-logging should be taken care of, with proper
shallow drainage, wherever necessary.
Organic manures like cow dung and compost can be used
for healthy growth and more productivity.
Pesticide is a big ‘No No’. Instead of pesticide, wood ash
can be used to get rid of pest and disease.
Weeds are to be removed from time to time to ensure
exposure of the root zone to sun, air and water which will
help get rid of fungal and other diseases.
The summer season is blessed with a myriad of vegetables,
and one should not miss eating these fresh, seasonal greens.
One should start planting them by the end of January just
after the heavy winter fog is over.
Some of the vegetables grown in Assam during summer are:
1)
CUCUMBER:
Cucumber does not withstand the
slightest frost, so it should be planted just after the heavy
cold. It can be grown in all types of soil, from sandy to
heavy. Loam, silt loam and clay loam soils are considered
best for getting a higher yield. It is cultivated both as a
summer and rainy season crop. Since it is a creeper it is
necessary to support the plant with twigs or bamboos.
2)
RUNNER BEAN:
The runner bean is sown directly in
a well fertilised bed. It is a hardy climber and can resist
rain and pest, so grows well during spring and summer.
It needs support, like any other creeper. Seeds germinate
after 6-10 days of sowing.
3)
SQUASH:
Squash needs to be planted in a sunny place.
The soil should be fertile and well drained. Spots that
were previously occupied by compost piles are especially
desirable. The plant should not be watered directly;
instead a shallow circle should be made around the plant
so that the water does not directly touch the roots.
4)
LADY’S FINGER:
Highly sensitive to frost, it requires
a long, warm growing period. It does well in all kinds of
soil. It can be sown in February for early cropping.
Weeding and earthing up are the most important
operations for the lady’s finger. Flowering begins 35-40
days after sowing, and fruits are ready for harvest after
5-6 days of flowering.
5)
SNAKE GOURD:
The outer shells of the snake gourd
seeds are usually hard, making them difficult to
germinate. Soaked seeds take almost 10-20 days for
germination. The saplings need to be watered regularly
and fed with compost manure as the plants start trailing.
The snake gourd plants require a large trellis to support
their long fruits.
6)
BITTER GOURD:
The bitter gourd requires loamy
soil rich in organic matter and moderate warm
temperature. Germination takes place after almost 20-
25 days of sowing. It takes about one and a half months
for the harvest to be ready.
7)
RIDGE GOURD:
The ridge gourd grows well in clay,
loam and silt soils. The seeds have to be sown in small
pits, with 2-3 seeds in each pit. As the plant is a climber
it should be provided with suitable support, either of
bamboos or twigs. The fruit becomes ready for harvest
two months after sowing.
8)
OTHER GOURDS:
Gourds such as Bottle, Ash, Teasel
and Sponge/Silk also grow well in summer.
9)
PUMPKIN:
It is best grown in a sunny place where
there is no water-logging. Once the seedlings sprout, add
compost around the plant. This will help keep weeds
down and retain moisture. Daily watering is not
necessary; deep but infrequent watering results in a
healthier plant.Watering in the morning helps to get rid
of fungal diseases.
10)
CORN:
Corn grows well in loamy soil. A long frost-free
season is necessary after planting of the seed. Corn is
wind-pollinated, so it should be planted in blocks rather
than in single rows. It should be well watered during
planting time. When the plants are 4-5 inches tall,
thinning them is necessary. Weeding and earthing up
should be done very carefully without damaging the roots.
The advantage of having a vegetable garden throughout the
year is that one is assured of consuming pesticide-free,
organically grown, freshly plucked vegetables. If the ‘mali bari’
is planned properly, it can help reduce one’s expenditure on
vegetables too.
I hope these little tips of mine will help people plan a
successful summer garden.
Over the years, Bipasha Duarah has learned how to get the maximum out of her
kitchen garden in summer, and shares her knowledge and experience with us here.
– Bipasha Duarah
Phillobari T.E.
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Bottle Gourd
Ash Gourd Teasel Gourd Sponge Gourd
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58 July 2014
I WISHYOU ALL ‘HAPPY GARDENING’