A Day in the Life of a Rose Farmer in Kenya

4:30 AM
The first light of day starts to creep in, and I’m already awake. The air is cool and fresh, the scent of dew-laden soil and roses filling the air. In Kenya, where the climate is perfect for growing roses, every day starts early to make the most of the cool mornings before the sun gets too hot. My alarm goes off, and I stretch, knowing that today will be another busy one in the fields.

I take a quick shower and head downstairs for some chai tea and a small breakfast of mandazi (fried dough) and fresh fruit. The farm is just a short walk from my house, so I grab my hat, put on my sturdy boots, and head outside. The sky is still a soft purple, and I can hear the early morning chatter of birds.

5:00 AM
I arrive at the rose fields just as the sun begins to rise. The landscape is beautiful here, with the fertile soil and clear skies giving the roses an ideal environment to grow. Our farm grows several varieties of roses, from red to pink, yellow, and white. I make my way to the first rows of roses—these are the most delicate ones, needing to be harvested before the sun gets too strong. The scent is overwhelming, rich and sweet, and it always reminds me why I love what I do.

The team is already here, ready to start. We are a close-knit group, and each of us knows our role. I work alongside a few experienced workers who have been with me for years, helping guide the newer hands. Together, we carefully harvest the roses. The flowers need to be picked at the right stage of bloom, when the petals are still closed tightly but starting to show color. If they’re overripe, they won’t last as long in the market.

7:30 AM
The morning harvest is nearly done. I walk down the rows, checking the flowers, making sure we didn’t miss any. As I bend down to pick a rose, I think about the hard work that goes into each stem—the planting, the watering, the nurturing of the soil. The roses on this farm are grown for export, so every stem has to meet high standards. There’s no room for error.

I pause for a moment to admire the roses, taking in the colors and the vibrancy of the blooms. The fields are a patchwork of pink, red, and orange. It’s a lot of work, but there’s something special about working with nature. The roses, like us, are striving to bloom at their best.

9:00 AM
We’ve gathered several crates of freshly cut roses. These are carefully placed in the cooling room, where they will be stored at a controlled temperature to maintain their freshness before shipment. As I walk into the packing area, I can hear the hum of the workers sorting the flowers. The roses are graded by size, color, and quality. Some will be sent to florists, while others will go to supermarkets or be exported to flower markets in Europe and the Middle East.

I oversee the packing process, making sure everything is running smoothly. Quality control is crucial in this industry. Each stem needs to be perfectly packaged, with water tubes at the base to keep the flowers hydrated during transportation. As the workers place the roses into boxes, I make sure they are securely packed to avoid any damage.

11:00 AM
The first shipment of the day is ready, and I drive the crates to the local processing center. The road is bumpy, but I’ve become accustomed to the journey. The farms in this area are all part of a larger community, and we support one another. At the processing center, the roses are weighed, and the paperwork is filled out for export. We work with a number of international buyers, so everything has to be documented and on time.

Once the shipment is dispatched, I head back to the farm for another round of work. Today, I plan to check the irrigation system and ensure everything is working as it should. In Kenya, the rain can be unpredictable, so we rely on our irrigation system to keep the roses hydrated, especially during the dry season.

1:00 PM
It’s time for a break. I sit with my workers under the shade of a tree, eating a simple lunch of rice, beans, and stew. The conversation is light, mostly about the day’s work and any challenges we’ve faced. We talk about the market prices for roses, which can fluctuate depending on demand. Some years are better than others, but overall, the demand for Kenyan roses remains strong.

I feel grateful for the work we do. The rose farming industry has changed my life and the lives of many others in the region. It has brought jobs, infrastructure, and opportunity to our community. Every sale means more support for my workers and their families.

2:00 PM
After lunch, I check on the health of the roses in the other parts of the farm. Some of the bushes are showing early signs of pest damage, and I apply an organic solution to control aphids. I’ve learned over the years that keeping the soil healthy is key to preventing pest problems. Our farm uses a mix of organic and sustainable farming methods, and I’m proud of the results. The roses are strong, vibrant, and healthy.

I spend the rest of the afternoon checking the growth of newer rose plants. Some are just beginning to bud, and I make a note to check them again in a week. The cycle of planting, growing, and harvesting is ongoing, and there’s always something to do.

4:30 PM
The sun is beginning to set, and the temperature cools slightly. The final harvest of the day is starting. We move through the rows quickly, picking the last of the blooms and preparing them for packaging. By this time, we’ve gotten into a rhythm, and the work feels more fluid. I’m grateful for the team I’ve built. Their hard work and dedication make all the difference.

Once the day’s harvest is completed, I review the logs to ensure everything is in order. I check the accounts, the market prices, and the upcoming shipments. Running a rose farm means being on top of every detail, from crop management to business logistics.

6:00 PM
As the workday comes to an end, I walk around the farm one last time. The roses are still standing tall, their petals opening toward the sky. I take a deep breath, inhaling the sweet, floral scent that fills the air. There’s a sense of accomplishment in seeing the day’s work come together.

Back at home, I relax with my family, enjoying a simple dinner of chicken and vegetables. The conversations are light, filled with laughter. My children are eager to share what they learned in school that day, and I feel proud to know they are growing up in a place that values hard work, tradition, and community.

8:00 PM
Before bed, I take a moment to reflect on the day. Growing roses has been a challenging yet fulfilling journey. The work can be exhausting, but it’s rewarding in so many ways—knowing that our flowers bring joy to people all over the world. Tomorrow, we will do it all again: planting, picking, packing, and sending off our beautiful roses. In this life, there’s always something new to learn, and I’m grateful for every moment.

As I close my eyes, I’m already thinking about tomorrow’s harvest. The cycle continues, and I feel privileged to be part of it.