The UAE’s scorching weather impacts everyone, including plants. Whether you have indoor plants or outdoors, gardening in burning weather is a risk. But, with the proper knowledge and techniques, you can keep your garden green amidst burning heat.
Let’s discuss the tips for hot weather gardening in UAE to Keep your home garden decor looking stunning.
Tips for Hot Weather Gardening in the UAE
Looking for tips to save your plants in UAE’s sweltering weather? Whether you have a little garden while living in your apartment or a vast one in your villa, check out these tips for hot-weather gardening to maintain your outstanding home garden decor.
1. Choose Summer Plants
Selecting plants suitable for hot weather should be your top priority while gardening in the UAE. Heat-loving plants can withstand high temperatures, enhancing your home decor. Moreover, plants with thick stems and lush leaves can resist harsh weather.
The following are some of the summer plants that are perfect for your balcony garden. However, you must adhere to the balcony rules and regulations:
- Purple Heart or Purple Queen
- Desert Rose
- Firebush
- Tropical Hibiscus
- Bougainvillaea
- Frangipani
- Sweetheart Plant
- Natal Plum
- Dwarf Jade Bush
- Elephant Bush
- Yellow Trumpet Flowers
- Succulent Plants
2. Mulch the Soil Properly
Here’s what you should do to grow plants in the hot climate of the UAE. Use grass clippings, straws, and shredded leaves as mulch to prevent soil drying. This is a great way to do hot weather gardening.
However, do not use too much mulch, as it can harm plants. A good 2 to 4 inches of mulch is enough. Otherwise, it will prevent water from reaching the soil.
3. Water Your Plants Adequately
In the UAE’s hot weather, it’s crucial to water plants well, as soil dries up faster, leading to plants withering. Set reminders on your phone for watering and focus on deep watering instead of shallow watering.
Moreover, soil moisture levels should be regularly checked using a trowel, digging 6 inches deep. Water plants in the morning when the soil is still cool so water can penetrate deeper into the roots.
4. Keep Your Plants Under Shade
Gardening experts suggest partial shading during extreme heat can reduce temperatures by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your plants under a canopy or shade cloth when decorating your small balcony.
Outdoor garden owners can use various options, such as:
- Pergolas
- Shade Cloths
- Canvas Strips
- Latticework Screens
- Old Sheets And Curtains
However, these materials should be placed high enough to prevent ventilation obstruction.
5. Timely Pruning and Clipping
Pruning plants is a standard part of plant parenthood, making your plant leafier and bushier growth. However, it should be done as soon as the leaves are drying up. This can help your plants to grow healthier.
On the other hand, clipping a handful of green leaves can cause traumatic effects on the plant. Therefore, as a plant lover, you should know when to prune your plants and when to not.
6. Keep Indoor Plants in Air Condition
Extreme weather can challenge indoor plant growth and maintenance. However, with proper knowledge and expert guidance, creating a thriving indoor oasis in the desert is possible.
Indoor plants are sensitive to warm room temperatures but can thrive in air conditioners. Cool air from ACs helps keep temperatures below 25°C, which is ideal for indoor plants.
7. Use Organic Fertilisers
If you want your plants to survive the UAE heat, use sustainable organic fertilisers like cow manure and liquid fertilisers. Fertilisers with ample macro and micronutrients improve soil structure, moisture retention, and plant resilience.
Moreover, these organic fertilisers attract beneficial bacteria and bees to improve plant growth. Seaweed extracts, rich in 70 minerals like calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, are also helpful for nutrient boosters in liquid fertilisers. These natural growth stimulants are essential for plant growth and can benefit the garden.
8. Maintain Soil’s Organic Level
In UAE’s hot weather, gardening requires maintaining healthy organic matter levels in the soil to aid water retention. Experts recommend 5 to 9 percent organic matter for garden soil, depending on climate and soil type.
Enriching soil with beneficial organisms like mycorrhizal fungi can help plants tolerate drought-like conditions better.
9. Careful Plant Positioning
Consider the sun’s trajectory and plant placement to create a lush garden. Place taller plants on the western side to shade smaller ones during the hottest parts of the day. This approach minimises stress on plants and creates a harmonious landscape.
Careful plant placement considers natural conditions and plant needs, maximising growth chances and creating a visually pleasing landscape. Factors like sunlight, wind, water, and microclimates can help design a garden that thrives in UAE’s hot weather.
10. Ensure Sufficient Air Circulation
In hot weather, UAE gardening tips emphasise air circulation for plant health. Avoid overcrowding to prevent fungal diseases. Prune branches that cross or touch the plants to allow air to flow freely around them.
Another tip to ensure sufficient air circulation is to raise the pots off the ground with a brick or two. It helps the plants to get enough air to breathe.
FAQs
The UAE’s tap water, often contaminated with salts and minerals, is unsuitable for plants. So, using filtered water, distilled water, or rainwater whenever possible is recommended.
Flowering indoor plants require monthly soil fertilisation, while non-flowering plants require twice a year fertilisation. It’s crucial to follow these guidelines for optimal plant care.
Too hot for plants is typically around 90 degrees F, with some exceptions. When temperatures rise above 90 and remain there for an extended period, leaves wilt.
Among other tips, the area should receive at least six hours of sunlight to grow vegetables.
If you’re a plant enthusiast in the UAE, this blog is for you! Dubai Garden Centre is the perfect place to buy the best gardening supplies for the UAE.
Moreover, check out Property Finder’s Blog for more tips and tricks on home decor in the UAE.
