Gardeners at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort share simple & efficient tips to create an herb garden in your home.
Creating an herb garden doesn’t require experience or professional gardening skills, according to Asoka Pogorama, Landscape Manager at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. Located on the Palm Jumeirah promenade, the resort boasts of over 40 different types of trees and plants including lemon, banana, fig and pomegranate trees to name a few. Apart from this Anantara also maintains a dedicated culinary garden where they grow ample mint, rosemary, lemongrass and many more herbs.
Asoka who hails from Sri Lanka has over 22 years of experience of gardening and shares with us his secret tips for a healthy herb garden.
Choose the right location to set an herb garden
Herbs require abundant sunlight and a well-drained soil set up. Make sure the location that you select receives at least six hours of sunlight. A bedroom window or a kitchen window works perfectly, if you don’t have a balcony or a garden. You can plant your herbs in a plastic container or even small shot glasses if you have spare ones at home.
Preparing the Soil Before You Plant an Herb Garden
You can choose a clay like soil or if you only have access to sand, add plenty of compost to your pot. Almost all vegetable waste makes for a good healthy compost. You can even use eggshells for this. You don’t need packaged manure for herbs as they speed up the growth process but reduce the flavor.
Planting the herbs
Herbs can be started from seed or planted as plants, buying them online from plant sellers is a good option. However, you can even buy seeds, this may take a little longer but is totally worth it. Make sure to harvest your herbs frequently. If you are getting more than you need, dry them out and freeze, so that the plant doesn’t feel burdened. Herbs require half a glass of water every two days.
Below are some herbs that can be grown in UAE easily:
- Basil – requires hot conditions, keep away from air conditioners
- Oregano – can be grown from a branch too
- Coriander – Most Asian households use the seeds in their cooking, the seeds germinate over 2 weeks.
- Rosemary – Rosemary requires a little extra water compared to its peers and enjoys moist conditions.
- Mint – Mint, like oregano can be grown from a branch. Mint enjoys the sun and is ready for harvest when you see tiny flowers springing on the top.
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