Unveiling the UAE's Horticulture Wonders: Insights on Maintaining Flowering Gardens Through Summer's Heat
Nurturing Your Summer Garden: UAE's Heat-Resistant Horticultural Secrets
In a small corner of Dubai, garden enthusiast Eda Ozturk Davasligil cultivates a thriving garden. This isn't merely a passion project or a way to pass the time. Each plant—from rows of white flowers to pots brimming with bell peppers, watermelons, mangoes, sweet potatoes, basil, and more—is a testament to her dedication. Even a small sanctuary for tortoises enriches her outdoor oasis, with her cat keeping a watchful eye from the house.
Over the years, Davasligil's garden has hosted more than 90 varieties of heat-resistant crops, including cherries, bananas, papayas, onions, lettuce, kale, various tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, lemons, passion fruits, radish, and strawberries. Her pride is evident as she identifies each one, a reflection of her knowledge and love for horticulture.
Despite the intense heat, many gardeners in Dubai have mastered the art of summer gardening. Here's how you, too, can cultivate a flourishing UAE summer garden.
Embracing Heat-Tolerant Crops
According to Davasligil, the key to summer gardening success lies in choosing suitable crops. Some plants thrive in hot weather, including okra, watermelon, basil, and other greens. She advises sowing these crops earlier, around March or April, to give them time to acclimate to the July and August heat.
For cucumber lovers, she suggests growing Armenian cucumbers, which can withstand the summer heat better than regular cucumbers.
Selecting drought-tolerant and sun-loving species is crucial. Top choices for outdoor gardening include bougainvillea, desert rose, frangipani, succulents, cacti, zinnias, portulaca, basil, rosemary, thyme, and oregano.
Watering with Wisdom
Watering efficiently is crucial for summer gardening. Davasligil prefers drip irrigation and recommends watering twice daily when the garden is newly planted.
Key watering tips include:
- Water early in the morning or after 7 PM to prevent evaporation.
- Focus on deep, less frequent watering sessions, two to three times a week.
- Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to minimize water waste and deliver hydration directly to the roots.
- Consider reusing water from AC condensation or mild dishwashing (without harmful chemicals) for sustainable gardening practices.
Keeping the soil consistently moist, even during travel, is essential for healthy root growth.
Providing Shade and Support
Some plants cannot endure the midday sun, especially during July and August. Davasligil suggests using a 30-50% density shade cloth to diffuse sunlight without completely blocking it.
Additional strategies include moving potted plants to shaded areas, utilizing garden structures like pergolas and trellises, or growing large-leaf plants to create natural shade.
Mulching for Success
Organic mulch, such as wood chips, straw, coconut husk, or dried leaves, can significantly benefit summer gardens by retaining moisture, cooling the soil, and reducing evaporation. Mulch also helps suppress weeds that might compete with your plants for water.
The Advantages of Container Gardening
Container gardening provides control and flexibility, allowing for easy movement of plants based on sunlight exposure or weather conditions. Use light-colored ceramic or terracotta pots to prevent overheating, and give your plants the extra care they need by controlling soil type, drainage, and watering.
Careful and Light Fertilization
As summer temperatures rise, Davasligil advises against fertilizing. Instead, she suggests using slow-release, balanced fertilizers monthly, liquid seaweed or compost tea, or choosing organic fertilizers like manure to boost plant health without promoting excessive growth in high-temperature conditions.
By adhering to these guidelines, UAE residents can grow thriving, heat-resistant plants and herbs even during the warmest summer months. Embrace your inner gardener, and watch your outdoor space bloom under the summer sun.
- Eda Ozturk Davasligil's garden, situated in Dubai, is a testament to her dedication and love for horticulture, showcasing various heat-resistant crops like okra, basil, and bougainvillea.
- Efficient watering practices, such as watering early in the morning or after 7 PM and using drip irrigation, can help gardeners in the UAE grow healthy, flourishing summer gardens.
- Container gardening is an excellent way to grow heat-resistant plants in the UAE, offering control and flexibility over soil, drainage, and watering. Using light-colored pots can prevent overheating, enhancing growth.
- Mulching with organic materials like wood chips or coconut husk can provide multiple benefits for summer gardens, such as reducing evaporation, cooling the soil, and suppressing weeds, creating an ideal environment for heat-tolerant plants.
