Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Many home gardeners assume the growing season is over during the summer. However, according to Eman Al Marri, an organic home gardening advocate and founder of the "Plant with Amy" initiative, summer is not the end of gardening but a season that requires a different approach.
"Plant with Amy" is an initiative that teaches sustainable home gardening through practical workshops. She received the Best Influencer in the field of agriculture at the Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award.
Speaking to Aletihad, Al Marri said one of the biggest misconceptions among home gardeners is that high temperatures mean the end of the gardening season.
"As temperatures rise across the UAE, many gardeners assume that the growing season has come to an end. In reality, summer is not the end of gardening; it is simply a different season that requires a different approach."
Rather than maximising production, Al Marri said the focus during summer should shift to protecting plants and maintaining soil health.
Many gardeners, she warned, make the mistake of treating summer crops the same way as winter ones. Among the most important priorities during summer, she said, is careful water management. Here, timing is just as important as quantity when watering in hot weather.
"Water management becomes more important than ever. Deep watering during the early morning helps plants develop stronger root systems and reduces water loss through evaporation. Watering during the hottest part of the day is often ineffective, as much of the moisture is lost before it reaches the roots," she pointed out.
Protecting plants from direct sunlight is another essential step. However, as per Al Marri, plants still require adequate light to grow, where complete blocking of sunlight is harmful as well.
"Shade is another essential tool for summer gardening. Shade nets can significantly reduce heat stress and help plants survive extreme temperatures," she said.
Protecting the soil itself is another essential key in summer gardening, where the healthy soil is the foundation of any successful garden.
"Applying organic mulch around plants helps regulate soil temperature, reduce moisture loss, and improve soil health over time. In nature, bare soil is rare, and our gardens benefit when we mimic these natural systems."
Summer months, she said, are for improving soil quality and preparing for the next planting season; rather than seeing the season as unproductive.
"Summer is also an excellent time to enrich the soil with compost and organic matter. Even if production slows down, gardeners can use this period to prepare their beds for the next growing season. Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive garden."
Selecting the right crops can make a significant difference for those determined to continue growing food throughout the summer by choosing heat-tolerant crops such as okra, sweet potato, moringa and basil.
Ultimately, Al Marri believes gardening is about working with nature rather than resisting it. She said every season offers valuable lessons, and adapting to changing conditions is what allows gardens to flourish over time.
"A successful garden is not one that produces continuously throughout the year, but one that adapts, survives, and thrives despite changing conditions."
Furthermore, she encouraged residents to adapt, not abandon, their gardens. "With patience, proper planning, and an understanding of our local climate, home gardens can remain healthy and resilient even during the hottest months of the year."
