Can you grow food in the desert? In the UAE, yes, and plenty of people do. The trick is to work with the climate: grow the right crops in the right season, protect plants from extreme sun, fix the soil and use water carefully.
1. Use the growing season
The cool months, roughly October to April, are the main window. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, leafy greens, herbs, radish, carrots and many other vegetables grow well outdoors then. From May to September, switch to heat-tolerant crops such as okra, brinjal (eggplant), chilli, roselle, moringa and curry leaf, and protect everything else with shade.
2. Fix the soil
Desert soil is sandy, low in organic matter and often alkaline or salty. It drains fast and holds few nutrients. Mix in plenty of compost or vermicompost, and consider raised beds or large containers filled with a quality mix like Holland Torf potting soil for the best results. Mulch the surface to protect it.
3. Water less, but better
- Use drip irrigation or a soaker hose to deliver water to the roots.
- Water early in the morning to limit evaporation.
- Water deeply and less often so roots grow down, rather than shallow and often.
- Cover soil with mulch.
Growing in the desert with less water is mostly about cutting waste: evaporation, runoff and watering in the heat of the day.
4. Give shade when it gets hot
Shade cloth of about 30 to 50 per cent can make the difference between a scorched crop and a healthy one in late spring and summer. A wall or pergola that blocks the afternoon sun also helps. Wind can dry plants quickly, so a hedge or screen is useful.
5. Start with easy wins
- Herbs such as mint, basil, tulsi and lemongrass
- Leafy greens in the cool season
- Cherry tomatoes in pots
- Fruit plants such as calamansi, papaya and moringa for the longer term
6. Feed the plants
Sandy soil needs regular, light feeding. Use compost and a balanced fertiliser, and follow the label rates. Too much fertiliser in hot weather can burn roots.
Common mistakes
- Planting cool-season crops too late in spring.
- Watering lightly every day instead of deeply every few days.
- Skipping soil preparation.
- Leaving containers in full afternoon sun in summer.
Ready to start your own desert garden? Browse our vegetable plants and seeds and pick crops that match the month you are planting in.
