November 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 42 As the cooler months arrive our thoughts turn to the great outdoors and whether you’ve got a window box, a balcony or some impressive acreage, there’s no reason to let our desert climate stop you enjoying fresh flowers,herbs and vegetables. These are things I’ve grown successfully in my garden with minimal care. FEATURE | homes & gardens It’s time to put green fingers to good use. Liz O’Reilly tells you how to get the best from your garden during the growing season. Blooming Lovely Lavender Lots of people told me lavender wouldn’t grow in Bahrain but I used a good dollop of potting compost and plenty of water in a bed which gets at least a little shade, and the tiny sprigs I acquired from a garden centre on the Budaiya Highway have gone bonkers, sprouting madly and smelling divine. I cut them back during the summer and they’ve come along beautifully and look ready to start flowering again – plus, I’m told, they will spread. Ornamental grass I was lucky enough to be given a few cuttings of ornamental grasses last autumn and they have taken really well in my sandy soil. Plant them with a little fertiliser and water well until they’re established. Once they’re bedded in they’re very drought-resistant so are ideal for our hot and humid summer. They also spread rapidly and can be easily split to fill beds or large pots. To divide, simply cut your grass back and use a sharp spade to split away the section you want to remove. Dig it out and replant in a new location with a little compost. There are lots of different types and colours of grass to choose from and they make a great addition to year-round beds. Basil This herb has been a life- or at least bed- saver in my garden. You can pick up tiny plants for around 100 fils and, with water and not much else, you will very quickly have great big bushes which not only provide leaves for cooking but also bathe the air with their delicious scent and are said to help keep flies at bay. A warning though, they do tend to take over, so make sure you give ample distance between sprigs when planting and chop them back ruthlessly if they get too much – don’t worry, they will definitely grow back.
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