The time of the year is a crucial factor when it comes to prepping your garden. The winter months from September to December are the best time to start sowing seeds.
Vegetables: Tomato, lettuce, beetroot, mint, radish, eggplant, pepper, cucumber.
Fruits: Lemon, lime, pomegranate, mango, papaya, fig, guava
Your plants soak up all the nutrients they need from the soil, making it crucial that the soil is well nourished with the necessary fertilizers. The soil in UAE is generally low in nutrients, so make use of fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.
Tip: You can also pour water used to cook vegetables or boil eggs – they’re loaded with water-soluble nutrients.
If you’re using smaller containers to hold the plants in your garden, ensure they have a hole at the bottom to allow excess water to drain. The soil in pots is likely to dry out faster, so they may need to be watered more frequently.
Tip: Insert a dry wooden chopstick into the soil near your plant (careful of the roots), remove after ten minutes and check if the wood has dampened. If it’s dry, your soil needs water.
As the weather changes, plants become more susceptible to fungus and insect attacks, so it’s a good idea to apply some fungicide.
Tip: For a chemical-free remedy, spray a solution of one litre of water and one teaspoon of baking soda mixed with half a teaspoon of oil and a few drops of dish soap.
