The monsoon is in full swing in Pakistan and is likely to be around till the beginning of October. While rain is usually associated with happiness and festivity in our part of the world, sometimes it can become a nuisance.

A heavy downpour can quickly quash the hopes of a gardening novice. In the absence of protective measures and lack of drainage, heavy rains and water accumulation in the fields can prove detrimental to any agricultural exercise. For home-based kitchen gardeners, here are some tips and tricks to ensure your plants benefit from the monsoon season instead of falling prey to it.

Install a plastic-cover shed or even a water-proof tarpaulin — locally known as tarpaal — over your flower bed to protect the flowers, vines, small plants and probable harvests. Stopping raindrops from falling directly on a seedling may prove to be life-saving. Even a plastic-sheet cover provides a barrier that stops rain droplets from harming foliage.

In many countries, municipal agencies and local governments construct massive underground tanks to collect rainwater for future use. This is........

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