Pandemic brings home gardening in Jordan to life — stakeholders

AMMAN — Home gardening has bloomed in Amman amid the pandemic, according to nursery and gardening industry operators, who said that the crisis has created new enthusiasts that are eager to grow their own vegetables and fruit.

“A lot of people that I know have picked up gardening during the early lockdown period, then they actually kept up with their new hobby and their interest persisted,” Mohammad Dasouqi, a gardener based in Amman, told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

He added that since the onset of the pandemic, there has been a surge in number of people with a newfound interest in gardening and backyard food production.

“I have had many new customers coming to the nursery where I work, whether to buy seeds, plants or even fruit trees,” Dasouqi continued.

“Gardening is a healthy hobby that can help to boost mood and self-esteem, reduce stress, and provide people with a sense of achievement,” said Marwa Atoun, a Jordanian psychologist who has been a gardening enthusiast for many years.

Hala Mustafa, a keen gardener, told The Jordan Times that: “For many years, all my family and friends used to tell me that I have an unbelievably green thumb”.

Mustafa plants her own vegetables at home and has now started teaching her friends and neighbours how to plant produce like root vegetables and peppers.

“Many people before the pandemic used to have a couple of potted plants, but now have decided to expand their garden,” said Abu Islam, a home gardener.

He added that this new interest will help “transform many areas in the capital from grey to green”.