Despite its desert landscape and scorching summer temperatures, with a bit of tender, loving care, all manner of plants can thrive in the UAE. Nurturing a successful garden largely depends on knowing what will and won’t grow here: species that demand cool night-time temperatures will not flourish; instead, opt for low-maintenance, heat-resistant native plants like the desert rose or cacti.
The good news is that it’s possible to create a gorgeous garden from just a little corner of space, and in this sun-drenched climate, the results can be stunningly quick – creepers such as trumpet vine can climb a two-storey villa in just a few years. The country’s sandy soil has few nutrients, so you’ll need to prime your patch carefully before you begin. Check with garden-centre experts to see which species require shade and which are happy to bake in the direct sunlight. And don’t expect to have a lush garden all year round: the intense heat tends to subdue a lot of plants in the summer; however, in the cooler months, you can enjoy a riot of colours, with zinnias, petunias, vinca and more, not to mention numerous fruits and vegetables.
Whether you have a small terrace space or acres of land, here’s a list of the items you’ll need to get you started. You’ll find these products at your nearest hardware store, garden centre or hypermarket.
Outdoor tap
Top of your list of priorities should be an outdoor tap. If you live in a villa, an outdoor tap gives you the freedom to install a water-management system – in other words, a sprinkler or soaker hose that best suits your gardening needs. For apartment dwellers, a tap on your balcony or terrace means you won’t have to traipse through your home with a watering can. Make sure that the tap turns off completely after use; a dripping or leaky valve will add dirhams to your water bill each month.
An expert book
Want to know the secrets of creating a gorgeous garden in the desert? Turn to the book Gardening in Oman and the UAE, by Anne Love, for inspiration. When the horticultural enthusiast Love first moved from the United Kingdom to Oman in the 1980s, she found that there was little information on gardening in the region, so she wrote her own book. This current edition is an updated version of Love’s original title and is packed with colourful photographs of the huge variety of plants that flourish here. It also includes details on how to grow many of the native plants, as well as tips on fertilisers, soil conditioning and choosing an effective irrigation system. It’s an essential, practical guide for any green-fingered enthusiast.
• Gardening in Oman and the UAE, Dh80, Magrudy’s
Hose
If you have a sizeable garden, a hose should also be high on your list of essentials. Choose a hose that’s long enough to reach around obstacles such as the corner of a house or a car parked in the driveway. Look for one made from pliable, synthetic rubber or plastic; it should be sturdy enough to withstand stretching and stepping on without tearing. For added durability, choose one with reinforced webbing, and be sure to recoil the hose when it’s not in use to help prolong its life. The Gardena System 50 Hose Reel Set includes a 20-metre-long hose, nozzle, two tap connectors, a standard hose connector, adapter and reel.
• Gardena System 50 Hose Reel Set, Dh269, Ace Hardware
Water-management system
A watering can will do for dowsing a few hanging baskets on the balcony, but it’s wasteful if you have lots of trees and plants; sprinklers and micro-drip systems are more efficient and effective, and ensure your garden stays lush and healthy. For hassle-free, fully automated watering, try the Gardena Starter Set C 14e – a computer-controlled, micro-drip system with 14 fixed programmes. It comes with water computer, master unit, 15-metre connecting pipe and 15-metre supply pipe, plus 20 in-line drip heads, end caps and pipe pegs.
• Sprinklers from Dh49; water timers from Dh249; Gardena Starter Set, Dh499; all Ace Hardware
Shade
The UAE’s year-round sunshine makes shade an important consideration. While some hardy plants naturally thrive in direct sunlight, others require the horticultural equivalent of factor 50 sunscreen. A pergola with a vine creeping up it creates a dappled sunlight effect, while a well-angled canopy offers good protection during the hottest parts of the day. The Coolaroo rectangular shade sail is 5 metres by 3 metres and has a 10-year guarantee. Custom-made pergolas are also available. If you have a sizeable outdoor area, trees such as almond, frangipani or weeping fig at the edge of the garden can create shade.
• Coolaroo shade sail, from Dh469 (not including fixtures and fittings), hardware stores nationwide
Seeds
It’s easy to grow all manner of tasty produce from seeds in the UAE. If you’re a foodie who likes experimenting with flavours, try parsley, which doesn’t need much attention. Mint is another hardy outdoor option, but sow well away from anything else, as it’s a rampant grower. Most herbs need partial sun protection – one exception is basil, which is a resilient sun-worshipper. Pumpkins, cucumbers, melons and capsicum all grow well from seeds, as do aubergines, tomatoes, onions and watermelons. Half the fun of planting seeds, however, is experimenting with what works where; youngsters love to help and will watch excitedly as the first shoots appear.
• A variety of seeds are available from Dubai Garden Centre and the Plant Souk in Abu Dhabi’s Mina Port
Fake grass
Grass is a thirsty plant, so forego a lawn and you’ll be doing your bit for the UAE’s environment. If, however, you can’t live without ground-level greenery, then fake it. Use a heavy roller to ensure the base upon which you are going to lay the artificial grass is compact and even. Measure the area, then use a utility knife to cut the grass to these dimensions (trim a little bigger than actually needed to avoid leaving any areas uncovered). Attach using turf pins and make sure it’s stretched tight and is free of ripples. If you’re installing multiple sections, ensure the grain pattern is uniform throughout. Finally, evenly spread the manufacturer’s recommended infill material and use a broom to fluff up the fibres.
• Artificial grass, from Dh165 per square metre, Ace Hardware
Mulch
Water evaporates quickly in the UAE’s hot climate, leaving any garden parched and thirsty. Minimise evaporation (and water use), and keep the roots of your plants and the soil cool with mulch. Mulch refers to any type of material that’s spread over the surface of the soil. Not only is it an efficient way to retain the soil’s moisture, it’s also an easy way to beautify garden beds. Instead of stones, choose organic, biodegradable mulch, which will help to improve the soil’s fertility as it gradually decomposes.
• Organic, biodegradable mulch, from Dh69 for a 10kg/50-litre bag, hardware stores nationwide
Hand tools
“A bad workman blames his tools” – or so the saying goes. Don’t short-change yourself when selecting garden hand tools; cheap secateurs, for example, can break and rust easily, whereas a pricier pair will be stronger, do a better job and should last a lifetime. If you’re going to be doing a lot of pruning, choose secateurs with comfortable handles such as Fiskars’ Garden Pro Pruner, which has a cushioned cutting action. Hedge shears are useful for trimming unruly bougainvillaea: try Fiskars’ Power Gear Shears. The Gardena Hand Trowel is good for planting and transplanting in flower beds or pots, and is made from high-quality, Duroplast-coated steel.
• Fiskars’ Garden Pro Pruner, Dh189; Fiskars’ Power Gear Shears, Dh269; Gardena Hand Trowel, Dh49; all Ace Hardware
Spade
Get stuck in with a sturdy and durable garden spade. The most practical spade for general gardening work should be shaped like a rectangle, with a straight-edged, flat blade and a shallow pan for lifting, rather than scooping dirt. The top edge should ideally have a robust, corrugated ridge, so you can put your foot on it and push down hard. If you’re prone to backache, look for a spade with a telescopic, adjustable shaft length, so you can tailor it to fit your exact height.
• Fiskars’ spade costs Dh109 from Ace Hardware
