Growing French Beans in Baringo
Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Baringo is only marginally suited to French Beans. Baringo's soil (pH 6.22, slightly acidic) gives French Beans a suitability score of 45/100. Match fertilizer to Baringo's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
French Beans can be grown in Baringo County, but the soil scores 45/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.22 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–7 band French Beans prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet French Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit French Beans, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, French Beans is the #78 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Baringo County. French Beans's full potential is about 3,500 kg/acre (~KES 280,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Baringo's 45/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,969 kg/acre (~KES 157,520/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Baringo's soil: Sesame (Simsim), Finger Millet, and Groundnuts — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Baringo soil | French Beans needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.22 | 5.8–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.32 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.4 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 212 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 700 mm | 900–1,500 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 900 m | 1,000–2,100 m | Low |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag