What to plant in May in Kenya
11 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in May in Kenya, for the climate around Nairobi area, Kenya (latitude -1, longitude 37).
Climate: Equatorial highland climate with no frost (coldest night 9 °C), warm days up to 30 °C, long rains in March to May, short rains in October to November, and a dry spell from June to September that needs irrigation.
Vegetables
Kale Brassica oleracea
Cool highland nights suit it and it keeps producing through the dry season with some water.
Harvest: 60–75 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Carrot Daucus carota
Mild highland temperatures give sweet roots in deep, loose soil.
Harvest: 70–90 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Onion Allium cepa
It forms bulbs well in the cool nights and suits beds with good drainage.
Harvest: 100–140 daysModerateCare guide →
Swiss chard Beta vulgaris
It tolerates warm days and cool nights and keeps cropping for months from one sowing.
Harvest: 50–60 daysEasyIn pots
Pumpkin Cucurbita pepo
Warm rainy-season soil and plenty of sun give large, reliable yields.
Harvest: 90–110 daysEasyCare guide →
Managu Solanum scabrum
This African leafy green thrives in warm, humid conditions and is picked again and again.
Harvest: 40–60 daysEasyIn pots
Sweet potato Ipomoea batatas
Warm days and rain-season moisture suit its vines and tubers.
Harvest: 90–150 daysEasy
Garden pea Pisum sativum
Cool highland nights suit it, and it is best sown at the start of the rains.
Harvest: 60–75 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Fruits
Papaya Carica papaya
Its warm days suit it, and the 9 °C minimum is mild enough for a sheltered planting.
Harvest: 9–12 monthsModerateIn potsCare guide →
Guava Psidium guajava
It tolerates the cool nights and the dry season, and bears heavily with little care.
Harvest: 2–3 yearsEasy
Herbs
Coriander Coriandrum sativum
Cool highland nights suit it, and it is best sown at the start of the rains.
Harvest: 40–50 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →