Summer Sets in Over Delhi .

Hello All,

The one or two spells of rain last week slowed down the scorching summer heat overtaking Delhi. But the signs are all there now- the earthen "Gharas" and "Surahis" on sale along the road sides: the ads of various brands of ACs in the Newspapers with theur energy saving capabilties & affordibility recieving more prominence than before(also signifying that the once symbol of affluence is switly breaking into the midle class homes);Icecream sales are picking up; several brands of "Lassis", "Chhachh" and "Matha" are being briskly sold by Mother Dairy and Amul booths all over;the Koel's "Kooks" are more audible now than before- a sure sign that the summers are here.Why do the Koels shriek continuously more in the summer than in the winter,I wonder? Is it out of glee or melencholy?

Here is what I wrote for the benefit of gardening enthusiasts of the Delhi Gymkhana Club on being asked recently by Ashwajit, the young Editor of the Gym News Letter to contribute to it's next issue:-


Drive Away Your Summer Blues with Summer Annuals and Fragrant Flowers

The Moghul rulers love for flowers and fragrances is well known. They have left behind their legacy not only in architectural marvles like the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Humayun’s Tomb, but also in a rich variety of fragrant flowers to keep them cool doing the hot summer months of Delhi. Therefore, we have the Belas, Chamelis, Mogras, Harsingars (NYCTANTHUS), and Rat Ki Ranis (Queen of the night), spreading their heady fragrances over the Delhi gardens during the summer months.
December to April in Delhi are a treat for gardening enthusiasts. The very wide variety of Winter Annuals spread color and joy all over the Capital, in parks, roadsides, roundabouts and homes, starting with Chrysanthemums in December an ending with Petunias in April.

But what about the less talked about Summer Annuals which can survive the scorching summer heat. Although they can not match the splendor and abundance of Winter Annuals, here is a list of summer annuals which should be planted now in pots and beds, emptied of withering and drooping winter annuals and filled with fresh soil and manure mix. They are sure to drive away your summer blues.
Portulaca very pretty multicolored flowering plants which remain close to the ground. The flowers open in the morning and close in the evening. A new variety, which is a perennial, has become available recently and become popular. I am carrying a picture of this variety which I grew in profusion in my home a couple of years ago.
Cosmos - the yellow and orange varieties grow well in the summer, while the white, and purple larger blooms are winter annuals.
Zinnias- very pretty multicolored blooms which come in both double and single varieties. Better planted in beds for mass effect
Gompherenas- small purple blooms also popularly called ‘Bachelor's Buttons’ also make excellent fragrant dry flowers. Curiously, they become fragrant after drying.
Amaranthus - the Tricolor ornamental varieties are the best.
Sunflowers tall and majestic large yellow blooms. But beware, their seeds are a favorite food of parrots and hordes will attack and devour your prize blooms, unless you take suitable precautions.
Caladiums bright multicolored leaves grown in pots in and around rockeries from bulbs are best grown in semi shade . A very large variety of Caladiums also popularly called Bleeding Heart are available.
Gaillardia is also gaining in popularity as summer annuals, although I am personally not very fond of them.
Celosia furry red, yellow and orange flowers can be grown in pots and beds.
Vinca,the traditional Sada Bahaar known for its medicinal ( anti Diabetes properties with pink and white flowers are now available in several hybrid varieties and can be grown in beds for mass effect.
Cockscomb, with fiery red furry large blooms do well though the summer months and monsoon, and last almost into the winters. Crested flower heads resembles the comb of cock.
And finally, no garden in Delhi in summers is complete without the amazingly green balls of Kochias which grow so well in pots and in beds. Surely a soothing sight for sore eyes. The more sun and heat they get, the greener will be your Kochias. Just make sure that you water them every day. You will, however, notice them withering after the first monsoon showers.

Another silver lining that the summers provide for garden lovers is that the lawns will be much more green than during the winters, provided they are watered regularly preferably by sprinklers and given the right doses of manure and urea.

I have been picking up most of my gardening requirements from" ARGOSY", the small shop run by Mr Menderitta in the basement of Yashwant Place. Although one misses Mr Menderitta's friendly presence at the shop now since he is old and stays mainly at home, his staff are helpful and knowledgeable. More importantly, they don't overcharge and state correctly the quality of the products they sell.

Happy gardening to all Delhi Gym. nature lovers.

Well, that's all for this week folks . So enjoy the week ahead and wait for my Next Weekly Delhi Diary on my Blog when I plan to write about time old recipes to beat the Delhi heat& " Tailor Mastejee". There is more to come in my next Blogs on the King of Fruits and my favouirite the Mangoes.