How One Multistorey Garden (7-9 kg/week) Can Transform a Kenyan Family’s Food & Health
In Kenya today, many families grapple with rising food prices, limited garden space, and uncertainty about the safety and quality of vegetables. Innovations like multistorey gardens are changing that. Growing 7-9 kilograms of fresh vegetables every week can make more difference than you might think. Here’s a look at what that really means, backed by data, for a typical family of five.
- Dietary Gaps & Vegetable Intake in Kenya
The World Health Organization recommends at least 400 grams of fruits & vegetables per person per day. But in Kenya the average consumption is much lower—most Kenyans eat only about 100-130 grams of vegetables per day, especially those in urban areas.
Globally, and in Kenya specifically, many children aged 6-23 months consume no fruit or vegetables at all. A recent Kenya Demographic and Health Survey found that 45.5% of children in that age group had zero fruit or vegetable consumption.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s GDP has grown by about 46% over the past 15 years, yet vegetable consumption has remained stubbornly below recommended levels. These statistics paint a picture: even though many people know vegetables are good, availability, cost, awareness, and often space are holding people back.
- What Does 7-9 kg/week Mean for a Family of Five?
Let’s break this down. Suppose a multistorey kitchen garden produces 7 to 9 kg of mixed vegetables per week—greens, onions, tomatoes, herbs etc. What can that provide over a month (4 weeks)?
Weekly Yield Monthly Total (4 weeks) Daily Average What it Can Cover / Common Dishes*
7 kg/week ~28 kg/month ~1-1.1 kg/day Enough sukuma wiki, spinach / terere / managu, tomatoes and onions to serve nearly every lunch and dinner with fresh greens; possibly enough for extra for stews, sauces, garnish etc.
9 kg/week ~36 kg/month ~1.3-1.4 kg/day Better buffer for days when market prices are high; enough surplus for occasional sharing/selling, seasoning, more tomato or onion to support dishes like stews, katogo, sambusas etc.
> *Assumes typical Kenyan meal patterns: two main meals (lunch & dinner) plus occasional snacks, with vegetables being a staple part of those main meals.
So for a family of 5 (say two adults, three children), this amount means vegetables can be a regular, safe, fresh feature of every meal without having to buy as often from the market.
- Health, Nutrition & Economic Impacts
Micronutrient intake: Dark green leafy vegetables (e.g. sukuma wiki, managu, spinach, kale, terere) are rich in iron, calcium, vitamins A & C. Having daily access helps prevent common deficiencies (e.g. Vitamin A deficiency, anaemia) which are still significant in Kenya.
Food security: When a family grows their own vegetables, especially in urban or peri-urban areas, they reduce dependence on market supply (which fluctuates in price and quality).
Cost savings: Markets in Kenya often sell leafy greens and tomatoes at high prices, especially out of season or in areas far from farms. Growing at home removes transport costs and middle-men margins. Even small savings add up over weeks & months.
Health benefits: Fresher, cleaner produce, grown without unknown or unsafe chemicals, reduces health risks. Also improves dietary diversity, which is important for growth, immunity, especially for children.
- What Vegetables Grow Well in a Kenyan Multistorey Garden?
Based on what’s commonly eaten, what grows well, and what multistorey gardens have demonstrated, some of the best picks are:
Sukuma wiki (kale)
Spinach
Terere (amaranth)
Managu (black nightshade)
Onions / spring onions
Tomatoes (small varieties)
Herbs: coriander, parsley, dhania
Small root crops (carrots) or garlic/leeks in upper layers if well managed
Multistorey gardens (as in Farming Wonder’s model) often use a mix of greens + herbs + tomatoes. They are conical, layered or ring-type structures, often using materials like HDPE, goat manure, soil mixes, etc.
- Practical Example: Farming Wonder & Others
Farming Wonder, based in Kiambu County, has developed multistorey gardens that are conical-shaped and constructed with high-density polythene materials. These gardens can accommodate dozens to over 100 plants per unit, depending on design.
Another Kenyan case: a farmer named Josphat Wesonye reported yields of ~25 kg per multistorey garden per week (for his structure) when producing at scale with multiple units.
Also, data from KNH Contractors: a 2m × 2m multistorey garden can support 180-250 plants, compared to 30-60 plants for traditional ground farming in the same area. That means more output per square metre. These examples show that even small or modest multistorey gardens, when well designed and well managed, can outperform many conventional small plots in yield, especially for leafy greens and small vegetables.
- Barriers & How Multistorey Gardens Address Them
Challenge How Multistorey Gardens Help
Limited land/space (especially in urban areas): Vertical / layered design uses less ground surface; more growing area per unit footprint.
Water shortages / inefficient water use: Many designs allow water to trickle down through layers; less wastage; some capture rainwater or use efficient drip systems.
High cost / fluctuation of fresh vegetables: Producing at home lowers procurement costs, stabilises supply; less dependency on market price fluctuations.
Safety / pesticide concerns: Home gardens allow more control over inputs; less likely to be contaminated by unsafe practices.
Seasonal fluctuations / supply gaps: Multistorey gardens can be more continuously productive, especially with good planning, shade, irrigation etc.
- What It Takes to Start & Sustain One
To achieve 7-9 kg/week, here are the essentials:
Good structure: Multistorey garden designed to hold sufficient soil, allow good drainage, strong enough to support water and plants.
Quality soil and manure / compost for nutrients. Many gardens mix goat manure, compost etc.
Water management – either reliable supply or methods to reduce and conserve water (mulching, drip, capturing rainwater).
Plant selection & spacing – choosing fast-growing greens and good mix so you don’t exhaust nutrients or space.
Maintenance – regular harvesting, pruning, pest control, replacing crops.
Planning for seasons – consider rainy / dry seasons, sun exposure etc.
- The Bigger Picture: Impact Beyond the Family
When many households adopt multistorey gardens, this can contribute to improved public health outcomes, reduced malnutrition, especially among children.
Economic uplift: surplus produce can be sold, generating income; also reduces demand pressure on markets.
Environmental sustainability: using less land, conserving water, often more organic practices.
Community impact: neighbouring families or schools can learn, share, collaborate.
Conclusion
A multistorey garden producing 7-9 kg of vegetables per week is not just a luxury—it’s a practical, achievable way for a Kenyan family of five to:
eat more fresh, nutritious food almost every day
reduce food costs and reliance on volatile markets
improve health outcomes, especially for children
make better use of limited space
If you’ve ever thought “I don’t have enough space,” “I can’t grow veggies because of drought or cost,” this model offers a solution. The data is clear: vegetable consumption in Kenya is not where it should be, but with innovation and simple structures, families can begin closing the gap right at home.
Want to start one? We can help with design, materials, training, and ongoing support. Your garden won’t just feed your family—it can feed hope.
References
- GAIN. “Consume diverse vegetables for improved nutrition.”
- GAIN Working Paper No. 22, “Assessing impacts of potential interventions on vegetable consumption in urban Kenya…”
- Enyew Getaneh Mekonen et al., “Zero vegetable or fruit consumption among children aged 6 to 23 months in Kenya” (KDHS 2022).
- Farming Wonder case study: “Innovative Multi-Storey Gardens Enhancing Food Security in Kenya.”
- KNH Contractors: Multi-Storey Garden structure and plant density comparisons.
- Example: Josphat Wesonye’s multistorey garden yields.
