8 vegetables to grow during the rainy season in India
The monsoon or rainy season is the best time to grow root crops and leafy vegetables. The climatic conditions during the rainy season help them to grow faster and produce good yields. Apart from root crops and leafy vegetables, certain other vegetables also grow well. These vegetables need at least 5 to 6 hours of sunlight every day.
Best vegetables to grow in rainy season
1.Carrots
The best time to plant carrots is during the monsoon season. The cool temperatures are favourable for producing juicy, delicious carrots. Carrots need loose, soil that contains lots of organic content. The optimum temperature needed is between 15°C to 30° C (59°F to 86°F). Carrots take at least 3 weeks to germinate and they can be harvested within 60-80 days after sowing.
2. Radish
Radish is a cool weather crop. Growing radishes during summer results in bolting. Radish needs fertile sandy soil. The optimum temperature needed for radish to grow is between 18°C to 30 °C (64°F to 86°F). It germinates within a week and can be harvested within 3 to 4 weeks from sowing.
3. Cucumber
Cucumbers grow well during the monsoon season. They need loose, well-drained and fertile soil to grow well. The optimum temperature for cucumbers to grow is between 18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F). Seeds germinate within 10 days. Cucumbers can be harvested within 70 days.
4. Beetroots
Beets are similar to carrots and radishes and they grow best in cool temperatures. The optimum temperature needed for beets to grow is between 18°C to 25°C (64°F-77°F). Beetroot germinates within a week and can be harvested within 50 to 70 days. They require well-drained loamy soil.
5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes can be grown during the monsoon season. The optimum temperature needed for tomatoes to grow is between 21°C- 32°C (70°F-90°F). Tomatoes need lots of water and fertile well drained soil to give good yields. Tomato seeds germinate within a week and they can be harvested within 80 days from sowing.
6. Soybeans
Soybeans are easy to grow. They also help to fix nitrogen in the soil. The optimum temperature needed is between 26°C to 30°C (79°F to 86°F). They germinate within 2 weeks. They can be harvested within 45 to 60 days from sowing. They grow well in well-drained loamy soil.
7. Spinach
The best time to grow spinach is during the monsoon season as high temperatures during summer lead to bolting. Spinach needs well-drained fertile soil that has high levels of nitrogen to grow well. The optimum temperature for spinach is 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F). Spinach seeds germinate within 5 days and they can be harvested within 45 to 60 days after sowing. They can be harvested 2 to 3 times.
8. Capsicum
Capsicum seeds germinate when the temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold. The best time to grow capsicum is during the monsoon season. The temperature needed for the seeds to germinate is 18°C to 26 °C (64°F to 79°F) They require sandy loam soil to grow well. They can be harvested within 60 days after sowing.