Top hot weather gardening tips in UAE
While life in the UAE is mostly exciting and comfortable, there are certain times in the year when tackling extreme weather is a task. That’s the time when indoor activities become more like a necessity. And just like humans, plants also need a lifestyle change during the sweltering summers. Follow these top hot weather gardening tips in UAE to keep your plants safe and blooming!
HOT WEATHER GARDENING TIPS IN THE UAE
- Heat-loving Plants
- Water Your Plants
- Organic Soil Matter
- Organic Mulch
- Use Shades
- Pruning and Deadheading
- Air Circulation
Grow heat-loving plants
One of the best summer garden ideas in the UAE is to get heat-loving plants. If you want to worry less about your garden or balcony, look for plants bred for the desert or the tropics.
Purple Heart or Purple Queen (Tradescantia Pallida), Sweetheart Plant (Philodendron Scandens), Natal Plum (Carissa Macrocarpa), Dwarf Jade Bush (Portulacaria Afra) and Elephant Bush (Portulacaria Afra) are some of the more resilient members of the plant kingdom.
Another option is vegetable plants, such as tomatoes, southern peas, eggplant, peppers, okra, cowpeas and sweet potatoes. Getting a vegetable home garden will go a long way for those who love gardening in summer.
Note – some of these will drop their blossoms when the temperature regularly exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also make sure that you ask for varieties that bear fruits despite the heat during your next visit to Dubai Garden Centre.
Best plant stores in Dubai can help you find a large variety of heat-loving plants to grow in your garden/lawn.
Water your plants well
Watering your plants well is one of the hot weather gardening tips in UAE. The soil dries up faster in the sweltering heat, making the plants wither fast.
Consider setting up a reminder on your phone for all the watering that might slip your mind. Also, try to do more deep watering instead of shallow.
Make an effort to regularly check your soil moisture level by using a trowel and digging, let’s say, 6” down. Also, plants are best watered in the morning while the soil is still cool, and the water can easily run deeper into the soil to reach the roots.
Maintain soil organic matter
Gardening in UAE’s hot weather is no easy feat. Maintaining healthy organic matter levels is best as it can greatly assist the soil with water retention.
Experts believe garden soil must possess 5-9% organic matter, depending on the climate and soil type. Beneficial soil organisms such as mycorrhizal fungi help plants tolerate drought-like conditions better, so try to enrich your soil with them.
Cover the soil with organic mulch
One of the most useful gardening tips for growing hot and dry climate plants in UAE is using grass clippings, straws, and shredded leaves for mulch to prevent soil from drying up. Using mulch is one of the best ways to prepare your garden for summer in Dubai.
However, be careful not to use too much mulch as it can harm the plant. If you apply too much, a thick layer will form, preventing water from reaching the soil, as mulch is known to absorb large quantities. A good 2-4 inches of mulch will do the trick.
Use garden shades
Gardening experts also say that partial shading during extreme heat can help reduce the temperature by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. There are plenty of options for outdoor garden owners regarding shading. Pick the right one, depending on your garden’s requirements.
Pergolas, shade cloths or long strips of canvas, latticework screens or even old sheets and curtains (if you can make them look aesthetically pleasing) can work. However, note that your shading materials should be placed high enough not to obstruct ventilation.
Using garden shades correctly can ensure that you easily grow the best plants for hot weather in the UAE!
Looking to buy one for your home? Here’s a list of the top sun shades shops in Dubai.
Regular Pruning and Deadheading
Regular pruning helps maintain the shape and health of your plants, allowing them to focus energy on new growth. Additionally, deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming and prevents plants from wasting energy on seed production.
Provide Adequate Air Circulation
One of the common hot weather gardening tips in UAE is air circulation. Proper air circulation is essential for plant health in hot weather. Avoid overcrowding plants, as this can create a humid environment and increase the risk of fungal diseases. Prune branches crossing or touching allow air to flow freely around the plants.
FAQs About Hot Weather Gardening Tips in UAE
SHOULD I USE BRICKS AND CRUSHED STONES IN MY DUBAI GARDEN?
No, do not surround your garden with brick or crushed stone paths. These absorb heat during the day and release it at night, affecting the soil. You might end up with yellow grass in your garden. Also, avoid adding too many concrete paths and invest in organic mulch to keep the soil cooler.
Avoid these mistakes and adopt the garden summer house ideas in UAE mentioned in the post to embrace a lush lawn!
CAN YOU NAME PLANTS THAT GROW IN HOT WEATHER?
Some of the perfect plants that grow in hot weather in the UAE include date palm, flame tree, tropical hibiscus and frangipani.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BUILD A GARDEN IN DUBAI?
The cost of creating a garden in Dubai depends on multiple factors such as the size of the garden, landscaping design, material used, lighting and irrigation installations and cost of hiring a professional gardener.
Nevertheless, on average, a 100 sq. m. garden, with only real grass installation, may cost between AED 2,500 and AED 4,000.
We hope you enjoyed our top gardening hacks for the hot UAE weather. Don’t forget to bring your gardening gloves, high-SPF sunscreen and a glass of ice-cold lemonade when you implement them.
If you’d like a garden in your home, consider adding a lawn in Dubai. Or you can pick garden plants that suit both winter and summer in the UAE.
You can get quality plants and shrubs from top plant nurseries in Dubai for your home garden. Also, residents in the capital city can visit the best plant nurseries in Abu Dhabi to get exotic plant species that survive the blistering heat.
Moreover, those looking to buy plants can explore the sought-after plant nurseries in Sharjah.
For more tips and tricks to get your garden blooming this summer, subscribe to MyBayut!
