How to Start a Small Home Garden in Kenya.

Due to the high cost of living and more attention to healthy food, most Kenyans are resorting to small home gardens as a means of saving money and have the fresh produce. Regardless of whether you live in the village with ample space or live in an apartment with only a balcony in Kenya, you can still establish a home garden successfully by the right planning and by taking simple steps.

This guide will include simple steps of how to start a home garden in Kenya, the types of crops to plant, and the tips that will guide you in having a successful garden despite the little resources you may have.

Why you should Start a Small Home garden in Kenya.

• Reduce food costs – Planting and cultivating vegetables such as sukuma wiki, spinach, tomatoes, etc. is a low-cost choice that saves money at the end of the day.
• Fresh and organic food – You choose what you put into your soil, i.e. healthier and chemical-free food.
• Utilize the available space well – A small backyard, a roof-top or even the balcony can contain a well-developed garden.
• Family bonding activity– Gardening is an enjoyable activity to children and they learn responsibility.

Step 1: Select the Right Place.

When planting a small backyard garden in Kenya, choose a place with an adequate amount of sunlight, and 6-8 hours per day is optimal. You have no back yard, think about:

• Nairobi apartment container gardening.
• Balcony vertical gardening.
• Gardening in small areas Sack gardening.

Step 2: Pre-treat the Soil or Containers.

The production of a healthy garden depends on healthy soil. For beginners:

• Use loamy soil with high percent of organic matter.
• Add cow manure or compost to increase fertility.
• In case of containers, make sure that they have drainage holes to avoid waterlogging.

Step 3: Choose Crops that are Simple to Grow.

To have a good start, concentrate on crops that are beginner friendly in home gardens in Kenya like:

• Sukuma wiki (kale)
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Capsicum (pilipili hoho)
• Herbs such as coriander (dania) and mint.

These are crops that multiply within a short time, and are not so demanding to maintain, and they are in high demand in homes.

Step 4: Planting and Watering

• Sow plant seeds based on the spacing provisions.
• Water often and do not overwater, particularly in containers.
• Apply mulch to keep soil moist and weeds under control.

In the case of urban residents, drip irrigation systems of small gardens in Kenya can be purchased and conserve water without compromising the health of plants.

Step 5 Pest and Disease Control.

You can employ the neem solution or planting pest-repelling herbs like rosemary and garlic around your crops as a mean of pest control rather than depending on heavy and toxic chemicals.

Step 6: Picking and Eating Your vegetable.

The majority of vegetables such as the sukuma wiki and spinach could take 4-6 weeks to harvest. Cultivate frequently so as to stimulate growth and constant production.

Best Practices to a Successful Home Garden.

• Begin small and go bigger.
• Use a planting calendar when to plant and harvest.
• Plant varieties of crops to utilize space optimally and minimize attacks of pests.
• Use kitchen trash to make compost such as vegetable peels.
• Get tips and share seeds with local gardening groups.

Planting Calendar of small home gardens in Kenya by beginner.

The climate in Kenya enables one to garden all year round, however timing is essential in case one wants maximum yields. This is a basic month by month home garden planting guide of Kenyan home gardens:

January – March (Dry Season)

Most suitable in drought-resistant plants and planting in containers.
Planting: Sukuma wiki, spinach, onions, capsicum, coriander (dania) and rosemary.
Advice: Grow sack gardening in Nairobi or drip irrigation as water saving measures.

April – June (Long Rains)

Fast growing vegetables are better planted during rainy season.
Planting: maize, beans, peas, tomatoes, carrots, cabbages and herbs.
Hints: Use the free rainwater, by storing it and using it during dry months.

July – August (Cool Season)

As the weather turns colder, leafy greens are delicious.
Planting: spinach, sukuma wiki, lettuce, spring onions, broccoli, and kales.
Tips: To ensure that highland plants are not lost in frost, cover them.

September- October (Short Rains Start)

Root crops and herbs are a good crop to start.
Planting: Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, coriander and ginger.
Hint: Plant root crops with leafy vegetables to use the maximum space.

November – December (Peak of Short Rains)

Ideal in producing high yield crop prior to the season of festivals.
Planting : Tomatoes, green grams (ndengu), capsicum, cucumbers and beans.
Hint: Good moment to trial vertical gardening in areas of small size.

Additional Year round gardening ideas in Kenya.

• Sukuma wiki, spinach and onions are crops which can be cultivated throughout the year.
• Apply organic manure and cow manure to keep the soil fertile.
• Lack of space: If you do not have space, you can use container gardening in Nairobi apartments or balcony herb gardens.
• Intermix crops that grow quickly (such as spinach) and crops that take ages to grow (such as onions) so that yields are regular.

Using this Kenya planting schedule, anyone is capable of creating a small backyard garden and experience fresh organic food all year round. It does not matter where you live in Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru or Mombasa, there will be a crop suited to every season and climate area.

With proper planning, and by beginning small, your garden could be a money saving tool and a healthy lifestyle choice.

In Kenya, one does not have to invest heavy capital and land to start a small home garden. A bit of creativity and the right tools and you can have fresh vegetables straight off your backyard, balcony or roof. You will not only save money, but you will help make your family have a healthier lifestyle.