How to Grow Beautiful Flowers

Flowers are a beautiful and colourful addition to any garden, and growing them can be a fun and rewarding activity for children. Not only do flowers add beauty to our surroundings, but they also help the environment by providing food and habitat for birds and insects. 

Step 1: Choosing the Right Flowers 

Before you start growing flowers, it is important to choose the right ones that are suitable for the Kenyan climate. Some of the popular flowers that grow well in Kenya include sunflowers, marigolds, African daisies, geraniums, hydrangea, roses, and hibiscus. These flowers are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, making them perfect for beginners.

Step 2: Preparing the Soil 

The next step is to prepare the soil for planting. Start by removing any weeds or debris from the area where you want to grow your flowers. Then, add some compost or manure to the soil to enrich it with nutrients. Mix the compost well with the soil to ensure that it is evenly distributed.

If you don’t have space for a garden, you can still grow flowers in containers. You can use pots, buckets, or even recycled containers like old plastic bottles or cans. Fill the container with potting soil, leaving about an inch of space at the top.

Then, plant the seeds according to the instructions on the seed packet, making sure not to overcrowd the container. Water the seeds immediately after planting and place the container in a spot that receives plenty of sunlight.

Step 3: Planting the Flowers 

Once the soil is ready, it’s time to plant the flowers. Follow the instructions on the seed packets to know how deep to plant the seeds and how far apart to space them. Water the seeds immediately after planting and continue to water them regularly until they start to germinate.

​​Another way to grow flowers is to use transplants, which are small plants that have already been started from seeds. Transplants can save time and effort, and they are often available at local nurseries mostly found alongside major roads in Kenya or gardening centres.

When planting transplants, dig a hole in the soil that is slightly larger than the size of the plant’s container. Carefully remove the plant from the container and place it in the hole. Make sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.

Fill in the hole with soil and gently press down around the plant to secure it in place. Water the plant immediately after planting, and continue to water it regularly until it establishes itself in the soil.

Step 4: Caring for the Flowers 

As your flowers start to grow, it’s important to take care of them properly. Water them regularly and make sure to remove any dead or diseased leaves to keep the plants healthy.

Step 5: Enjoy the Blooms 

After a few weeks, your flowers will start to bloom and fill your garden with colour and fragrance. Encourage your kids to take photos of the flowers and make a scrapbook of their gardening journey. You can also use the flowers to make colourful bouquets and decorate your home.

Conclusion: Growing flowers can be a fun and educational activity. By following these simple steps, young gardeners can learn about the beauty and importance of nature. So, gather some seeds or transplants, get your hands dirty, and let’s grow some beautiful flowers together!