Lessons · Environmental dimension
Growing Food and Plants: Balcony, Indoor and Desert Gardening
What plants need in the Gulf, containers and balconies, easy herbs and vegetables, watering wisely, houseplants, compost and native plants. 8 lessons, about 1.5 hours in all.
- 01Why grow anything? Wellbeing, food and skills10 min You do not need a garden, a farm or a big budget to grow something. A pot of herbs on a windowsill can lift your mood, put fresh food on…
- 02What plants need, and how the Gulf climate changes the rules12 min Plants everywhere need the same basic things: light, water, air, nutrients and the right temperature. In the Gulf, the calendar is turned…
- 03Containers, balconies and windowsills11 min Most young people in the UAE live in flats or homes with little outdoor space, and that is fine. Containers let you grow almost anywhere,…
- 04Easy herbs and vegetables for beginners, and when to plant them12 min Your first season should be easy and rewarding. Start with a few fast, forgiving plants, sow them at the right time of year, and you will…
- 05Watering wisely in a water-scarce country11 min In a hot, dry country, every litre counts. Good gardeners give plants exactly what they need, when they need it, and waste very little.
- 06Houseplants and indoor air: what the evidence really says10 min You may have seen claims that a few houseplants will purify the air in your room. The real evidence is more modest, but plants can still…
- 07Composting and food waste at home or school11 min Peels, coffee grounds and dry leaves do not have to be rubbish. Composting turns them into a dark, crumbly material that feeds your plants…
- 08Native plants, the ghaf tree and community gardens12 min The plants that grow wild in the UAE have survived heat, drought and salt for thousands of years. Learning about them, protecting them and…
Further reading
Books to take this module further. We have not been paid to include any of them. Under 18? Ask a parent or guardian before buying online.
- RHS How to Garden When You're New to Gardening (Amazon, opens in a new tab) Royal Horticultural Society (DK)The Royal Horticultural Society's guide for absolute beginners, covering the basics of planting, watering and keeping plants healthy.
- Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet (Amazon, opens in a new tab) DKInventive ideas for growing vegetables, fruit and herbs in containers and small spaces, ideal for flats with little outdoor room.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links open a search on Amazon UK. The full reading list