June – Sondha The Garden Shop

Intense summer heat makes careful watering and shade essential for keeping plants healthy and hydrated. Give your garden gentle care, protect young plants, and take time to enjoy its cool, quiet moments.

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow

June is the height of summer. The days are long, the heat is intense, and watering becomes the single most important task in the garden. Young plants, newly planted trees, and tender shrubs must be shaded and watered regularly during hot spells.

May and June are usually the driest months of the year, so stay vigilant. Water the garden either before sunrise or after sundown, though evening watering is best. Plants stay cooler through the night and retain moisture much longer than they do with morning watering.

Always water with a gentle shower attachment on the hose. Plants should feel as though they are receiving soft rain. Please do not allow the maali to spray plants harshly with a forceful stream of water—it erodes precious topsoil and exposes roots to the summer heat.

Pay special attention to potted plants and hanging baskets, as these dry out the fastest during warm weather.

My father planted a small jungle of trees along the pavement in front of our home and in the service lane behind it. Over the years, many homes around us have landscaped the front of their houses beautifully, but ours remains one of the few with trees flourishing at the back as well. During May and June, someone is always deputed to flood these trees with water. As we care for our own gardens, balconies, and terraces, it is equally important to think of the trees outside our compounds—and of the birds and animals that depend on them for shade and survival.

And don’t forget to enjoy the garden yourself. Early mornings and evenings are magical at this time of year. Walk barefoot on wet grass, sit under the shade of a tree, and slow down long enough to enjoy the season. As children, we would leave watermelons out in the cool night grass because refrigerators were too small to hold them. In the mornings, we would sit beneath the old mango tree and eat chilled slices of watermelon straight from the lawn.

Garden Focus Areas This Month

01 - House Plants

Most house plants are tropical and actually thrive in the summer heat, provided they receive enough water. While we may find the weather exhausting, many tropical plants are actively growing during these months.

Covering the soil with leaf compost helps keep roots cool and retain moisture.

Summer is also the season for wonderfully fragrant gardens. Murraya, jasmine, and raat ki rani flower profusely now, filling the evenings with a rich, sweet perfume.

Keep an eye out for diseases such as:

Leaf spot
Powdery mildew
Rust

Regular inspection and prompt treatment are essential during humid summer weather.

02 - Indoor Plants

Move indoor plants away from the direct draft of air conditioners, coolers, and fans.

Avoid exposing indoor plants to harsh midday sun. A good summer routine is:

Put plants outdoors after sundown
Leave them outside overnight
Allow gentle morning sunlight
Bring them indoors before midday heat

Nurseries are well stocked at this time of year, making it a lovely season to add to your indoor collection.

Plants will require more watering than during winter, but always follow the golden rule of watering:

Touch the soil first
If dry, water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom
If unsure, wait another day

Use a sprinkler whenever possible so the plants feel like they are receiving rain. Mist plants daily and wipe leaves gently with a soft cotton cloth while supporting them with your palm.

Create an indoor jungle by maintaining humidity and grouping plants together, while ensuring they remain away from AC and fan drafts.

03 - Roses, Chrysanthemums & Dahlias

Roses: Regular watering, de-weeding, and hoeing are essential through the summer months.

Chrysanthemums: Pinch plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and continue watering consistently.

04 - Bulbous Plants

There is still time to plant:

Caladium
Canna

Look out for alocasia and elephant ears growing in friends’ and neighbours’ gardens — small divisions establish beautifully.

Caladiums and Easter lilies remain attractive right through winter with their striking foliage.

For garden beds, combine:

Spider lilies
Zephyr (rain) lilies
Ginger lilies
Elephant ears
Bird of paradise
Canna

For containers, grow:

Begonias
Blood lily (football lily)
Tuberose

From an aesthetic point of view, abundance always works better than isolated planting. Clusters of bulbs create a far more dramatic display than single plants.

Choose bulbs that are:

Large
Heavy
Free from cuts or marks

Damaged bulbs rot easily, while mature bulbs flower more generously.

05 - Vegetables

Sow seeds of:

Okra
Bitter gourd
Tinda
Sponge gourd
Sem

Plant seedlings of:

Tomato
Eggplant
Onion

This is also the season when homes begin drying and preserving summer produce. Haldi is cut and dried for future use, while fallen mangoes are transformed into aam papad, chutneys, and amchoor — nothing goes to waste in an Indian summer.

06 - Seasonal Flowers

Plant saplings of summer flowers now. As always, my favourites are flowers that are hardy, cheerful, and flower endlessly:

Sada Bahar
Portulaca

Sunflowers also grow beautifully from seed in full sun. Both the Giant Sunflower and Teddy Sunflower perform wonderfully in sunny gardens.

One of the joys of growing sunflowers is watching them follow the sun throughout the day — facing east at sunrise and west by evening. Birds love feeding on the seeds, making them excellent plants for attracting birds and butterflies into the garden.

07 - Herbs

The herbs that perform best in the Delhi summer are:

Basil varieties
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Chives
Rosemary

Tulsi and basil do especially well in large, open-mouthed pots where seeds can naturally fall into the soil and sprout again during the monsoon.

08 - Lawns & Hedges

This is a good time to repair bald patches or plant new grass.

Loosen the soil and transplant grass roots from healthy lawn edges into sparse patches, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Feed with neem khali, bone meal, or finely sieved compost. Water and mow regularly.

Important: Never leave an open pipe running directly onto the lawn. Always water gently with a sprinkler. Harsh watering encourages deep-rooted weeds like motha and causes unnecessary, weak grass growth.

09 - Succulents

Move succulents and cacti into semi-shade during intense summer heat, as strong sunlight can easily discolour or scorch them.

Water once a week and always from below. Water sitting on leaves or crowns can quickly lead to rot.

Things To Do This Month

Water daily: If travelling, ask someone reliable to water your plants. For short trips, cluster plants together in shade and place upside-down recycled water bottles with tiny holes in the lids into the soil for slow watering.
Dig out weeds: Remove weeds completely, roots and all, before they spread aggressively in the heat.

Watch for pests and diseases: Spray neem oil once a week and inspect plants regularly. Prevention is always easier than cure.
Protect plants from snails and slugs: Especially money plants and pothos. Neem oil sprays twice weekly help greatly.

Happy Gardening 🌿

Water, Shade & Summer Care