Karkkadakam, the last month of the Malayalam calendar (July-August) when rains lash Kerala, has been rebranded as the season of wellness and rejuvenation. It is promoted as the period best suited for sukhachikitsa or rejuvenation therapy as per Ayurveda tradition to develop immunity and stay healthy. Not just humans, even jumbos undergo sukhachikitsa during this time.
But do you know that it is the right time to give sukhachikitsa to plants as well? “It only means that they should be pruned and nourished with nutrients during this period. Pruning is necessary for plants and most fruit-bearing trees for their healthy growth and better yield. We have to do it once the monsoon becomes strong,” says T Pradeep Kumar, professor and head, Department of Vegetable Science, and director of planning, Kerala Agricultural University. His department has been doing it every year for the plants grown on the campus, especially curry leaf and drumstick.
