The Kitchen Garden
When I came to Doha, the challenges I cherish the most were to continue gardening and I surround myself with nature lovers. I wanted to meet all the “green thumbs” in Doha and learn how to create a desert oasis at my doorstep. I came across an amazingly active Indian community, lots of the members being from the beautiful and green Kerala region. This week, I finally got had a chance to visit Nadjma’s garden, one of the founders of Adukkalathottam Doha community.
Soumia Masmoudi, March 2018 Doha
Nadjma is not only a passionate lady but also an incredibly dedicated individual who pours her heart and soul into her backyard garden. It's astonishing to witness how she manages to grow such an abundance of food that can sustain a family of four. Last year, I had the privilege of speaking with Nadjma over the phone, where she shared with me some invaluable advice and tips on cultivating a thriving garden. But it was when she graciously invited me to her home that I truly experienced the magic of her green oasis. As soon as I arrived, Nadjma took me on a vivifying tour through her garden, pointing out each plant with excitement and pride.
Nadjma has been in Qatar for the last 20 years and said she gardens everywhere she lived. She says that “being Indian and from Kerala, Nature is part of who I am ». Years ago, after settling in Doha, she quickly regroups with some friends to form a garden club, exchanging seeds, vegetables and their love for growing a healthy lifestyle! Being an eternal learner, she used vacation time back home to take new courses and then teaches and shares her knowledge with neophyte gardeners when she is in Qatar.The association Name is adukkalathottam.doha
SEEDS AND SPECIES
Nadjma’s garden is filled with more than 45 different species of vegetables, fruits, legumes, trees, medicinal plants and flowers. Most of the seeds being initially brought from India, she said, “at first, the yields were poor, but after collecting the second generation of seeds, the plants adjusted to Qatar’s climate and the yield were much better”. She, however, mentioned that even with a lot of effort, ginger does not grow well here. During the winter, she is self-sufficient for almost 95% of her vegetable consumption, growing tomatoes, zucchini, onions, beans, cucumbers, eggplant and much more.
BIODIVERSITY AND NATURAL PESTICIDES
Walking around the garden, you see lots of butterflies, bees and insects. Hungry birds being a problem especially when eating the seeds, she embraces the wildlife and feed the birds, trying to keep them away from the precious harvest.
Where Nadjma impressed me further was with the technic used to keep the pest away in a safe and natural ways. To outsmart the birds, she uses CD disks to reflect light. For insects, blue and yellow recycled plastic containers coated with castor oil, attract and capture specific flies. Always in prevention mode, Nadjma has a well-planned daily routine spraying the garden with various leaves infusion acting as pest repellent or adding natural nutritious mixtures to promote growth and blooming. Here is some homemade and natural fertilizers and secrets she shared with us :
1) Egg-shell powder to provide calcium for her very tasty tomatoes.
2) Turmeric powder sprinkled on your plant or salades to keep pest away
3) Compost tea (mixture of 1 kg of leaves from Neem trees, Moringa, Sidra with manure and 10 L of water) let fermented during 3 to 4 days. When bubbles appear it is ready! Mixed it well, filter and use 10 ml of the mixture in 1L of water, add to soil.
3) 1 tsp of wheat flour + 2 tsp of baking Soda + 1 L of water. Mix and spray for 10 days during the evening.
4) Egg with lemon fertilizer recipe
Soumia MASMOUDI , March 2018 Doha
WATERING
In the desert, watering is essential and the garden needs daily caring. In winter Nadjma waters the plants between once a day to once every 3 days. However, as the weather gets warmer, she waters 2 times a day, early in the morning and after sunset.
GARDENING ALL YEAR LONG!
Nadjma's garden is a vibrant oasis that flourishes throughout the year. Even in the scorching heat of summer, various plants continue to thrive, including fragrant curry leaves, crunchy lady's fingers (Okra), juicy watermelons, an assortment of cucumbers, and nutrient-rich Indian spinach. Despite being able to tend to her garden throughout the summer, Nadjma occasionally takes a trip back to India for holidays, allowing her beloved garden to rest and rejuvenate. During this time, the dry leaves and compost work their magic, nourishing the soil and preparing it to nurture the bountiful harvest of the upcoming season. While her garden rests, Nadjma indulges in her unwavering passion for agriculture knowledge, delving into the realms of herbal medicine and holistic health. She feeds her curiosity, constantly expanding her expertise in these fields, excited for the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
Long live this generous passionate lady, her Doha Oasis and gardening community !
Soumia MASMOUDI , March 2018 Doha
