Why the short rains are your second planting window

Nairobi gets two main rainy seasons: the long rains from March to May and the short rains, which usually arrive between October and December. Many urban farmers treat the long rains as the "real" season and let their beds rest afterwards, but the short rains are a valuable second window, especially for quick-growing vegetables that need steady moisture to establish. The question we hear most from members at this time of year is what to plant now, before the rain arrives, rather than after it has already started.

Rainfall in Nairobi is never perfectly predictable, so check the latest seasonal outlook from the Kenya Meteorological Department before you commit seed, and plan to water by hand during any dry spell in the first three weeks after planting.

Prepare beds and sacks before the first rains

The best time to prepare is now, a week or two before the rains. Loosen compacted soil to a spade's depth, remove weeds, and mix in a generous layer of well-rotted compost or manure. If you use sack or container gardens, refresh the top third of the soil with new compost, because nutrients have been drawn down since the last season. Our guide to composting kitchen waste explains how to have finished compost ready on time.

Check drainage as well. Short rains often arrive as heavy downpours, and a bed that holds standing water will rot roots and invite fungal disease. Raised beds, a slight slope, or a few drainage holes at the bottom of each sack all help excess water escape.

What to plant in October and November

Fast-growing leafy vegetables are the safest choice because they are ready to harvest in four to eight weeks, before the rains fade in December. Good options for Nairobi plots include:

  • Kale (sukuma wiki) and spinach: reliable, forgiving, and harvested repeatedly. See our sack gardening guide for small spaces.
  • African indigenous vegetables: amaranth (terere), spider plant (saga), and African nightshade (managu) thrive in wet-season warmth. We cover them in a separate article on indigenous vegetables.
  • Coriander and spring onions: small, quick crops that fit between larger plants.
  • Beans: common and French beans mature in roughly two to three months and also improve the soil by fixing nitrogen.
  • Cabbage: transplant healthy seedlings early in the season so heads form before the rains end.

Be more cautious with tomatoes. They can do well, but constant leaf wetness raises the risk of blight and other diseases, so grow them only if you can stake them, keep leaves off the ground, and watch closely for pests such as the tomato leaf miner.

Sowing and transplanting tips

Sow seeds directly into moist soil just before or at the start of steady rain. Small seeds like amaranth and spinach should be sown shallowly, because deep planting in heavy rain can stop them from emerging. Seedlings raised in a nursery bed should be hardened off for a few days and transplanted on a cloudy afternoon, so they settle in before the midday sun. Space plants according to the seed packet, since overcrowding in humid weather encourages mould and slows growth.

Protect your plot during heavy rain

Heavy rain can wash away topsoil and flatten young plants. A layer of mulch, such as dry grass, crop residue, or shredded leaves, absorbs the impact of raindrops, keeps soil in place, and reduces weeds. Our article on mulching materials that work best in Nairobi compares the options. Make small channels around beds to direct runoff away from roots, and consider catching the extra water. Our piece on rainwater harvesting shows how to store it for the drier weeks that follow.

Keep an eye on pests and disease

Warm, wet conditions favour aphids, caterpillars, and fungal leaf spots. Walk your plot every two or three days, turn leaves over to check the undersides, and remove affected leaves early. Planting aromatic herbs and flowers beside vegetables can help; see our guide to companion planting for combinations that work.

Plan ahead for December

As the rains taper off, harvest what is ready, replant only crops that tolerate drier conditions, and mulch heavily to hold on to remaining moisture. Our guide to five vegetables for Nairobi's dry months will help you choose what to grow next.

Key takeaways

  • The October to December short rains are a second planting window for Nairobi gardens.
  • Prepare beds and sacks with compost and good drainage a week or two before the rains.
  • Choose quick leafy crops, beans, and indigenous vegetables over disease-prone tomatoes.
  • Mulch to protect soil from heavy rain, and inspect plants every few days for pests and disease.

Frequently asked questions

When should I plant during the short rains in Nairobi?
Prepare your beds in early October and sow when the rains become steady, usually from mid-October into November. Check the Kenya Meteorological Department's seasonal outlook, since the start date varies from year to year.

Which vegetables grow best in the short rains?
Kale, spinach, amaranth, spider plant, African nightshade, coriander, spring onions, beans, and cabbage all perform well because they mature quickly or tolerate wet, warm conditions.

Can I grow tomatoes during the short rains?
Yes, but they are riskier. Stake the plants, keep leaves dry where possible, mulch to stop soil splashing onto leaves, and inspect often for blight and leaf miner damage.