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DESC Desert Food Forest
DESC Desert Food Forest
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Commenced:
01/10/2012
Submitted:
06/07/2012
Last updated:
07/10/2015
Location:
Dubai English Speaking College, Academic City, Dubai, AE
Climate zone:
Arid





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DESC Desert Food Forest

DESC Desert Food Forest

Academic City, AE


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Back to DESC Desert Food Forest

Desert Forest Garden - most of the planting is completed

Project: DESC Desert Food Forest

Posted by Gaina Dunsire over 11 years ago

Despite the rising heat, the plants in the Desert Forest garden are thriving.

I plan to write some more detailed updates explaining how the project developed, but I couldn't resist posting a couple of pictures of the school's Forest Garden as it was a few weeks ago.

So far the plants seem to be coping with the rising heat and have shown healthy growth. The soil is retaining mositure well despite receiving 33% less water than is recommended by local landscapers. In fact the soil is so happy that mushrooms are growing under the mulch! After spending some time in the UK over the summer, I plan to come back to Dubai for a month to install the vegetable beds.

A grand opening is planned by the school in November which I hope will add to the publicity the garden has already helped to generate for permaculture in the region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (8)

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João Gonçalves
João Gonçalves : Wonderful work! Nice pictures! Please share about what plant species were introduced-part of the design. The palms were planted before or during this project ? and those trees in the lawn, outside the circle ? Have you seen avocado trees around ? Would they grow well, shaded against a north facing wall? I've read they dislike the hot temp. and dry air...
Posted over 11 years ago

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Gaina Dunsire
Gaina Dunsire : Thanks Joao, I will give more details about the plant species over the coming weeks. The palms were planted as part of the project at the end of February, their branches were 'released' about a month ago and will take up to a year to fully open. The Damas trees around the edge were pre-existing, they are high in water & nutrient consumption so are discouraged from being planted in the UAE now. I haven't seen many avocado here, I think they are quite vulnerable to disease. I'd risk one if it was my own garden, but each tree has been sponsored by a parent so I had to choose carefully.
Posted over 11 years ago

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Gaina Dunsire
Gaina Dunsire : Oh and the 'lawn' is actually plastic grass!!! crazy huh?!
Posted over 11 years ago

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María Luz Cardozo
María Luz Cardozo : It is looking amazing! Congrats!
Posted over 11 years ago

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Dennis Edwards
Dennis Edwards : Plastic grass......buacchhhh The garden looks great!!!
Posted over 11 years ago

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Sarvesvara Dasa
Sarvesvara Dasa : Hi Gaina, Great work indeed. Very nice to see in this part of the world.

I am in Dubai as well. Is there any chance we can have a visit to this project - and get some knowledge share?
Posted over 11 years ago

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Gaina Dunsire
Gaina Dunsire : Hi Sarvesvara, thanks and yes of course. I'll send you a message with the details.
Posted over 11 years ago

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Robert Hones
Robert Hones : Despite receiving 33% less water than what local tree trimming norman ok landscapers recommend, the soil is nevertheless doing a good job of storing moisture.
Posted over 1 year ago

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