By Shalinee Bhardwaj
As Qatar readies itself for the cooler months ahead, we can already smell flowers in the air! It is that time of the year once again when you can wear the gloves, pick a shovel and put your green thumb forward.
Yes! We are at the threshold of the much awaited sowing and growing season once again! Hence, won’t it make sense to get some basics right?
Whether you are starting afresh or are looking at replenishing your garden and pots, a visit to the plant nursery around this time will be a good idea. Know the requirements of the plants that you would want to grow. An informed choice about the plants to be purchased can come in handy and save you from later disappointments.
Plants that are adapted to local climatic conditions are best suited and can work wonders with your green space. A few do-it-yourself steps as mentioned below can guide you through the process of planting and gardening smoothly and swiftly.
Plan ahead: The foremost step towards a beautiful garden is to plan a mental map of what you want and how you want it. If you have bigger space, you may plan to set up a grassy lawn. Estimate the position and space available for the smaller plants, shrubby hedges, flowering/seasonal plants and trees. Make an approximation of the number of pots you need and their placement, whether you are hooked on the hanging baskets or flattered by the designer pots, it is good to plan ahead to save time and cost.
Many of the nurseries take landscaping work as well, so you can even seek advice of a seasoned gardener to ascertain whether the plan is workable as every plant has a different set of needs in terms of space, nutrition and exposure to sunlight.
The saplings and other garden material can be procured from a number of nurseries near the wholesale vegetable market close to Abu Hamour. Pots, pot soil, seeds and garden tools can also be bought from Carrefour, LuLu, Ikea or Daiso in Hyatt Plaza.
Prepare the soil: “This is the lifeline for your plants and thus is the most important step of all”, Shamshad Ahmad Khan of Green Land plant nursery, which is located opposite Parco Mall, suggests.
“We first test the soil for its suitability in growth of plants. Being a desert, the soil here is sandy, mixed with pebbles and rocks. The garden bed must be prepared by digging up and taking out all the sand and rocks, filling it up with good garden soil mixed with manure that can be procured from any nursery. For flowering plants grown in pots, a variety of potting mixtures are also easily available in the various supermarkets.”
It is important to note that the pots should have provision for good drainage, particularly the plastic ones in order to maintain the appropriate temperature and water environment for the growing roots.
It is ironical that in most gardens in Doha, plants wilt due to over watering rather than lack of water! As Shamshad says, “Your garden will need watering everyday in peak summers but as the cool season is approaching, irrigate only when needed. Touch the soil; if it is dry then water a little. Similarly use of natural manure will make the soil healthy.
In between MPK fertiliser that takes care of soil nutrition and is available in the nursery can be added. Use of fertiliser such as urea can be tricky, although it is cheaper and gives good results with flowering plants. Apply only the amount that is specified, higher quantities can harm the plants.”
The beautiful blooms: Once a talented Doha artist, Faisal Marzok al-Abdulla, who also has a passionate green thumb had described, “When I put my hands in the soil it seems to drain away all the bad feelings from within, leaving a pure spirit behind.”
Likewise, anyone who has planted a sapling ever will know how it feels to see it growing into a tall tree! Plants and the greenery around us are not only beneficial environmentally but are also known to have a therapeutic effect on our psychological well being.
This is the perfect time to let your feelings roll and bring home the beautiful blooms. Here you will find mention of some of the plants that are known to grow and respond well to the local environmental conditions.
Portulaca also known as the Moss Rose makes ideal ground cover. This low growing perennial spreads on the ground filling it up with a bright splash of pink and magenta flowers and does extremely well in direct sunlight. Petunia is another flowering plant that gives instant volume and colour to the garden. They look beautiful grown in hanging pots. Other successful flowering plants are Chrysanthemum, Marigold, Anthurium, Lilium, Jasmine, Vinca rosea, morning glory, Geranium, Gerbera, Dahlias, Euphorbia, local variety of Roses, Lantana, Bougainvilliea, Hibiscus etc. Canna is perfectly suited to direct sunlight and with its red, yellow or orange flowers also lends height to your garden’s landscape. The desert plants such as Cacti come in a variety of forms. Together with the perennial Bear Grass, they complete the pretty picture and can be grown to beautify landscaped rocks.
Indoor plants like crotons, Dieffenbachia, money plant, rubber plant etc help create green spaces within the four walls of your house with their extensive foliage. If you want to take a step ahead, experiment with a kitchen garden.
Doha’s weather supports growth of many vegetables like tomatoes, spinach, beans and gourds. What’s better than plucking your own vegetable directly from plant to platter!
Give that extra touch: Last but not the least; tiny details can add a mystic charm and effervescence to your garden or pots. Big gardens can be decorated with well laid paths, patios, trellis, fountains, artistically lined hedges, garden railings etc. In smaller urban spaces, variously designed and decorated pots can be used, they can be hung or raised on carved wooden or wrought iron stands.
Try growing mixed plants in big pots, creeper hanging in the front with volume given by plants such as agave or aloe. Use decorative pebbles; crystals etc to create a beautiful look.
Healthy plants create a sense of well being in your home. They will grow as beautiful as your imagination can take them. So, this season let the greens rule. Happy gardening!
Did you know?
Vertical gardens: Following the footsteps of roof top or terrace gardens is the technique that can breathe life into walls, literally. Specially designed panels that house the plants can be hung on the walls creatively, producing beautiful vertical green spaces.
Dieffenbachia, grown as a common indoor plant has toxic ingredients that can cause mild symptoms of poisoning when ingested. The plant should be handled and pruned by wearing gloves. This plant should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
If you see bees buzzing over your plants, take it as a good sign. Bees act as pollinators for several species of flowering plants, a phenomenon that is essential for the blooms.
Ever wondered what that network of black coloured pipes you see on the roundabouts or sidewalks signify? They represent a system of drip irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation or micro irrigation wherein the water is allowed to drip directly to the root zone of the plant. It not only saves water and fertiliser but also the impending cost and time. In case you have big garden space, its installation can be quite helpful.
Most of the flowering plants in Qatar are sourced from farms in Saudi Arabia, Holland and Indonesia. There are plans ahead to open more farms in Qatar in order to cater to the indigenous demand and reduce imports of flowers, fruits and vegetables.
Bonsai refers to miniature plants that are grown in small containers in a Japanese art form. Inspired by this, plant lovers are creating beautiful miniature gardens where only the sky can be a limit for your imagination.