Protecting edible plants during monsoon season

I often joke that Singapore has four seasons: the hot, hotter, wet and wetter periods.

- Wilson Wong

With the end of the year coming, people can expect the arrival of the rainy northeast monsoon season.

For many gardeners who grow edible plants outdoors, this can be a challenging time. Many such plants fare poorly in the rain. Heavy rainfall can injure plants, waterlogging can oversaturate soil and remove the oxygen roots need for respiration, and the lack of sunlight inhibits growth.

All this can lead to poor plant health. Worse, certain pests, such as snails and slugs, appear more frequently in wet weather and will devour the plants.

One approach to reduce rain damage and prevent pests from reaching your plants is to set up a netted tent. This enclosure is typically made of white plastic netting. White is preferred as it allows more sunlight to pass through than other colours. Use galvanised steel poles as supporting structures for durability.