Gardening in Dubai – updated May 2020
Gardening in Dubai has been challenging for many people recently especially as gardeners may have stayed away.
Maybe now your gardener has returned on a semi regular basis. So have a look at the phrases and the SECOND video below that may help you communicate a bit better exactly what you want them to do.
It’s obviously hotter now so do move your plants into whatever shade you can and cut back vigorously. See how our mint and basil has fared over the last few weeks here..very useful herbs to grow for as long as you can, especially with all our home cooking going on since we’ve been staying home in Dubai
Try this really easy pea and mint hummus recipe that doesn’t require any tahini.
Many gardeners I’ve come across in Dubai are from Pakistan or India. Whilst the boss’s English is generally ok, chances are some of his staff won’t be that fluent!
You may find these Hindi/Urdu phrases improve your gardening in Dubai.
Remember some of your gardeners may be from the South of India in which case their mother tongue will be Malyali, but they should be ok with the phrases below.
Find a list of plants and their prices in this earlier post. There is a video below of the phrases written here.
Gardening in Dubai – Cutting Things
Isko cut karo = Cut this.
Isko sirruf trim karo = Only trim this.
Aaj grass ko cut karo = Today cut the grass.
Bot tora caato = Only cut this a little bit.
Gardening in Dubai – Here and There
Idr Lao = Bring it here.
Udhar rako = Put it there.
Isko pot may dalo = Put this is a pot.
Usko zameen mein lagaao = Plant this in the ground.
Aage = Infront.
Peeche = Behind.
Gardening in Dubai – The Water
Aaj bot zyada baarish = Today too much rain
Paani bund karo = Turn the water off
Paani = water
Baarish = rain
Tora paani dalo = Put a little water
Gardening in Dubai – Trees and plants
Frangipani = Champa.
Date Palm tree = Kajoor.
Curry Patta = Curry leaf (grows really easily here)
Tree = Pear (but the ending is like a rough d sound, like Pedr)
Flower = Phool
Vegetable = Sabzi.
Which? = Konsa ?
Gardening in Dubai – Miscellaneous
Rimmal = Red sand, often used as top soil.
Baldia = the very smelly manure, dark in colour.
Booti = Buds or shoots can also mean weeds
Mazboot = Strong.
Kamzor = Weak.
Teekh Hai = It’s OK.
Dawa = medicine = pest control or fertilizer.
Isko saaf karo = Clean this.
Abhi = Now.
Baad mein = later.
Need help with the pronunciation? Then just watch the video here!
Just a few that I use a lot, let me know what else you’d like to say in a comment at the end of this post and I’ll add a simple translation to end of this post! Do please SHARE this one out.
A pdf you can print and laminate if pronunciation is difficult for you. Gardening in Dubai
Miracle Garden is also open if you need some inspiration! As at 2016 when this post was first written.
Combine your photography interests with your garden! A great place for inspiring photo projects! All these pictures were taken with my Samsung Note 10+ phone. Which one do you like best? You can also use your gardening photos for your painting projects or print out professionally on canvas and use as original artwork for your walls. More interesting and innovative than IKEA prints!
Try and bring the outside inside by simply moving your colourful or flowering plants in front of any glass windows or doors you have so you can take full advantage of them while you’re sitting inside. We moved our Desert Roses, currently nicely blooming to do just that!
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