How to prep apartment gardens for summer in Dubai
Dubai residents are well aware of the intense hot and humid summer season the emirate endures yearly. Although we are lucky to escape to air-conditioned indoors, your home garden cannot. So, you have to develop ideas to help the garden thrive in the sweltering heat. Let’s look at some tips and tricks to prepare your apartment garden for summer in Dubai.
Prepare your apartment garden for summer in Dubai
Gardening enthusiasts in Dubai know how difficult it can be to maintain a home garden when the hot weather comes around. Those living in villas have more space and shade to make their green spaces thrive. However, residents in flats have to get more creative to ensure that their plants survive the scorching summers.
The humid summer typically increases the evaporation rate, ultimately making plants wither and die. These tips can be useful when you prep your apartment garden for summer in Dubai.
Strategic Planning for Your Home Garden
This is one of the most crucial precautions to protect your home garden from scorching Dubai summer. Before planting, consider the specific needs of the plants you choose.
Opt for heat-tolerant varieties that are suitable for Dubai’s climate. Group plants with similar water requirements together. This step will make watering your plants quick and efficient. Additionally, plan your garden layout to provide shade and protect the more delicate plants from direct sunlight.
Summer-specific plants to grow in Dubai
A few balcony garden plants are suited to withstand the summer heat. If you do not want to grow an indoor vegetable garden, these alternatives can be the best tips to prepare your apartment garden for summer in Dubai.
Carissa Macrocarpa, or Natal Plum, is an evergreen balcony plant adapted to heat. The shrub has white flowers, which have a strong and pleasant fragrance during nighttime.
The plant is easy to grow as the seeds sprout within two to four weeks of sowing. You don’t need to add fertiliser to this indigenous plant, making maintenance easy. This is why growing the right plant is one of the best garden tips for summers in the UAE.
You can also plant Frangipani. It is one of the best plants for sunny balconies. It’s a small tree with beautifully scented flowers and white and yellow petals. Although it grows slowly, you can plant it, and it will adjust quickly. Remember to add the cut branches to the soil and water it properly.
Petunia is another flower that is known to survive humid temperatures. You can add this plant to your Dubai balcony garden for vibrancy. If you’re wondering where to buy these flowers and plants, consider any reliable plant nursery in Dubai. Don’t want to head out in this weather? You can always buy plants online in Dubai and have them delivered to you.
Protect your Garden from Direct Sunlight
To protect your plants from the sun, add a barrier. A shade cloth or a canopy can do the job. Keep an eye out for plants that show signs of withering and move them. You could place them indoors or in a less sunny spot on your balcony garden in Dubai.
If you have any terracotta or clay pots, wrap a wet cloth around them. These pots are not as heat-resistant, and the wet fabric can be a transpiration barrier. You can also add pebbles to the top layer of the soil of your potted plants to reduce evaporation. You can also consider sun shades in Dubai to protect your balcony from direct sun.
Water the Garden with Care
Watering plants when evaporation is at its most intense is a tricky task. If you water plants in harsh daytime sunlight, they may dry up faster.
To avoid this, water them during cooler times when the rate of transpiration, or water vapour loss, is less. Early mornings and evenings are the best times for the task in arid climates.
Make summer-friendly changes
You must make a few changes to prepare your Dubai apartment garden for summer. For starters, get an organic fertiliser that contains seaweed extract. Seaweed is known to have compounds such as Betaine and the carbohydrate-derivative Mannitol, which protect plants against drought.
When the weather changes, we all change our diets. For example, we love having hot baked goods more during winter than summer. That’s because our bodies change internally to adapt to the transforming weather.
The same is the case with our plants. When the temperature rises, the soil loses its ability to absorb fertiliser nutrients. Therefore, consider buying liquid fertilisers that can be absorbed easily. Liquid fertilisers are a surefire garden tip for summers in the UAE.
Add Organic Mulch to Retain Moisture
Consider adding a layer of organic mulch around the plants and garden bed. The mulch is used to lock in the moisture in your soil. Organic mulch options such as wood chips, straw, or compost can also improve soil quality and provide insulation for plant roots.
These summer-friendly apartment balcony garden ideas can help you prepare your apartment garden for summer in Dubai.
Apply a layer of organic mulch around your plants and garden beds. Mulch acts as a protective barrier, reducing evaporation, retaining moisture in the soil and preventing weed growth.
FAQs About How to Prep Apartment Gardens for Summer in Dubai
How to create an indoor aquatic garden in Dubai?
A water or aquatic garden is a green space where any water feature is the principal or dominant element. If you don’t have a garden at home, you can also create an indoor aquatic garden in Dubai. You will need a container/aquarium, floating plants of your choice, some pebbles and pea gravel and lots of water.
How do I grow a vegetable garden in Dubai?
Vegetable gardens in Dubai are a possibility for those living in villas. If you want to grow your own, acquire the right tools. Furthermore, the timing and choice of vegetables can also help.
HOW DO I PROTECT PLANTS FROM HEAT?
Mist plants during scorching hot days to help cool them down and increase humidity. You can also rotate plants indoors during heatwaves to protect them from extreme heat. Have you considered indoor plants? Here’s a list of reasons you should have indoor plants in your Dubai home.
WHICH SUPPORT STRUCTURES SHOULD I USE FOR VINING OR TALL PLANTS?
You can use stakes or trellises to support tall or vining plants.
ARE THERE ANY HOME REMEDIES TO CONTROL PESTS?
Neem oil and insecticidal soap are effective home remedies to control plant pests.
HOW DO I CREATE A ZEN GARDEN IN MY DUBAI HOME?
You can create a Zen Garden at home in Dubai with little effort and dedication. Our guide lists valuable tips to help you create a perfect Zen garden.
On that note, we will end our guide – tips for setting up an apartment balcony garden in the summer. Do you live in an apartment? You can always grow fresh herbs in your balcony garden, provided that you know what to do. Alternatively, consider adding a vertical garden to your kitchen – especially if you lack the space.
Want to go soil-less? Try a hydroponic garden for your home. These tips can hopefully help you prepare your apartment garden for summer in Dubai.
