As a part of an ongoing effort to address
environmental concerns, an onsite Bio-Garden has been developed with the
resort grounds to produce a range of fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables
for use within our several gourmet dining outlets. The Story
 The resort is now proud to be self-sufficient for all its herb needs and the garden is already fulfilling the vegetable requirements for two of our dining outlets! The Bio-Garden was created in 2007 as the brain-child of our late General Manager Mark Brettsworth. An area of un-used land between Palm Tree Court and the riding stables was cleared and from there gardening plots were created. The garden was first planted with a selection of aromatic herbs and has now grown to host a variety of vegetables and fruit trees, and there are plans to extend the garden even further. The Bio-Garden Philosophy
The Bio-Garden now generates 100% organic produce and everything used in the garden is recycled in one form or another. Although these are small steps, the Bio-Garden philosophy is to make realistic changes to help the environment and encourage everyone to do the same to make an overall impact. How the Jebel Ali Golf Resort Bio-Garden is making a difference -
Reduce: The gardening team (with help from wonderful staff volunteers) make their own organic compost using trimmings from the resort’s several kitchens. This means creation of solid waste is reduced while producing great organic fertiliser for the garden! -
Reuse: The resort has developed a water recycling system that reuses water from the resort for irrigation in the garden. Even the irrigation system itself is recycled from the resort golf course. Using an irrigation system rather than watering by hand also saves water. -
Recycle: To fund the garden, the dirty oil from the resort’s kitchens is converted into diesel by an external company. The money generated is then used to buy tools, seeds and pay the wages of the gardener. Why build a Bio-Garden? -
Home-grown organic produce is better, as it is free of chemicals and pesticides and is GM free. -
Growing plants for flavour; commercial growers have to grow for shelf-life. -
Growing plants also means a far wider variety of fresh produce than is available in the shops. -
Growing plants is cheap and nutritious. Although some initial capital was involved, the resort has saved over AED 20,000 in four months by not having to buy herbs! -
The food grown will be truly local. -
Fresh air and exercise, and rediscover the seasons. -
Children will learn where food really comes from. -
Fresh taste! The Bio-Garden future
The garden is satisfying all the resort’s herb needs and two of the restaurant’s vegetable needs. Currently there are 750m2 of plant plots in the garden which will be extended by another 1,000m2 to accommodate more fruit and vegetable varieties. A green house will be built where the Bio-Garden team can plant seedlings and nurture them until they are ready to be planted in the garden plots. What is found in the Garden:
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Fruits -
Avocado -
Cacao -
Pineapple -
Figs -
Papaya -
Pomegranate
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Vegetables -
Herbs -
Basil -
Chive -
Coriander -
Dill -
Lemon Grass -
Mint Leaves -
Oregano -
Parsley -
Pepper Corn, Green -
Pepper Corn, Pink -
Rosemary -
Thyme -
Aloe Vera Guests can take an educational stroll around the garden and whilst enjoying the aroma of the fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables, learn about their natural health and beauty benefits from the plant descriptions. There is a secluded seating area with a watering pond in the middle of the garden to sit, relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. A variety of bird species such as peacock, parrot, partridge and crows come to drink from the pond. Bio-Garden kids days
From the beginning, children have been involved as much as possible. When the Bio-Garden was opened on Good Friday, 2007, all the kids at the resort were invited to help plant the first plots. When the garden was recently extended to include fruit trees, the children from the resort helped. Each child who participated in planting his/her own tree, has their name mentioned on a special plaque within the grounds of the Bio-Garden Children are excited to come back year after year to the resort to see how big their tree has grown! Children from a local school also pitched in to help paint the garden’s fence and plant Aloe Vera. The fence is now a piece of art and the aloe is flourishing! Bio-Garden & the CoolZone Kids Club
A weekly garden session is held with the children at the CoolZone Kids Club to expose them to gardening and let them get their hands dirty! The Bio-Garden Team
Maintaining the garden is constant but rewarding work. The Bio-Garden team consists of one gardener and lots of willing volunteers! For more information, please call +971 4 814 5555 or email jagrs@jaresorts.com
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