Is extreme heat interspersed with drizzles and downpours putting you in a tough spot about what to grow in your garden?

Is extreme heat interspersed with drizzles and downpours putting you in a tough spot about what to grow in your garden?

The change in season beckons a change in the choice of plants that you decide to cultivate.

The change in season beckons a change in the choice of plants that you decide to cultivate.

His apartment terrace in Delhi’s Vikas Puri boasts pumpkins, cherry tomatoes, beetroot and broccoli that Mayank has spent the last decade nurturing.

His apartment terrace in Delhi’s Vikas Puri boasts pumpkins, cherry tomatoes, beetroot and broccoli that Mayank has spent the last decade nurturing.

Filled with every kind of local vegetable as well as seasonal produce, the garden, he says, is an example of a complete ecosystem — “All peels that are generated in the kitchen go into the compost bin. This compost then goes into the garden to nurture the plants.”

Filled with every kind of local vegetable as well as seasonal produce, the garden, he says, is an example of a complete ecosystem — “All peels that are generated in the kitchen go into the compost bin. This compost then goes into the garden to nurture the plants.”

Here’s what Mayank recommends growing in the late summer/monsoons:

Here’s what Mayank recommends growing in the late summer/monsoons:

1. Bottle gourd “They love humid climes and rainwater is the best nitrogen source for these plants. It increases their growth,” he informs. These vegetables are versatile and you can even start growing them right now, as they are said to be tolerant to high temperatures. The same applies to bitter gourd.

1. Bottle gourd “They love humid climes and rainwater is the best nitrogen source for these plants. It increases their growth,” he informs. These vegetables are versatile and you can even start growing them right now, as they are said to be tolerant to high temperatures. The same applies to bitter gourd.

2. Zucchini Often touted as an exotic vegetable, zucchini is abundant in carotenoids, fibre and potassium, making it a green that you want to add to your dietary palate. One pointer to keep in mind is that zucchini plants require at least five hours of sunlight and well-draining soil, both factors that go a long way to prevent root rot.

2. Zucchini Often touted as an exotic vegetable, zucchini is abundant in carotenoids, fibre and potassium, making it a green that you want to add to your dietary palate. One pointer to keep in mind is that zucchini plants require at least five hours of sunlight and well-draining soil, both factors that go a long way to prevent root rot.

3. Brinjal Love whipping up some fried brinjal in the monsoons? Mayank says growing the plants is equally exciting. A fact to know before you start growing brinjals is that they can survive in dry spells. But they thrive in moisture.

3. Brinjal Love whipping up some fried brinjal in the monsoons? Mayank says growing the plants is equally exciting. A fact to know before you start growing brinjals is that they can survive in dry spells. But they thrive in moisture.

Pro tip: Ensure your eggplants are well watered, receiving at least an inch of water every week.

Pro tip: Ensure your eggplants are well watered, receiving at least an inch of water every week.

4. Pomegranates A gardener’s favourite plant, pomegranates do not require as much water as their counterparts. While you may take a while to spot the fruit of your efforts, it will all be worth it when you reap the rich red harvest.

4. Pomegranates A gardener’s favourite plant, pomegranates do not require as much water as their counterparts. While you may take a while to spot the fruit of your efforts, it will all be worth it when you reap the rich red harvest.

5. Guavas All you need to do is soak guava seeds in water for 24 hours before placing them in moist soil. The fruits are rich in dietary fibre and have high levels of vitamin C, making them great for health.

5. Guavas All you need to do is soak guava seeds in water for 24 hours before placing them in moist soil. The fruits are rich in dietary fibre and have high levels of vitamin C, making them great for health.