The Bustan blog
Notes for your garden.
Practical reading for growing in the UAE. Your own garden notes and photos remain in your garden’s progress journal.
Five plants to assess carefully before Dubai summer
Some UAE-grown ornamentals tolerate heat better than others, but summer success still depends on shade, establishment, soil, water, and exposure.
From balcony to kitchen: growing herbs in the right window
Basil, mint, rosemary, and parsley need different UAE balcony windows; many herbs do best in cooler months or protected morning-light positions.
Why mulch is your rooftop's best friend
Mulch can reduce surface drying and root-zone heat when its depth and material fit the planting. On Dubai rooftops, drainage and wind exposure matter as much as coverage.
Water-wise garden beds for new homeowners
A simple framework for laying out garden beds by water need, exposure, and irrigation method before estimating savings.