Growing Vine Spinach (Nderema) in Baringo

Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Baringo is moderately suited to Vine Spinach (Nderema). Baringo's soil (pH 6.22, slightly acidic) gives Vine Spinach (Nderema) a suitability score of 71/100. Match fertilizer to Baringo's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Baringo County is a solid choice for Vine Spinach (Nderema), with a soil-match score of 71/100. Local soils average pH 6.22 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–7 band Vine Spinach (Nderema) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet Vine Spinach (Nderema)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Vine Spinach (Nderema), which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Vine Spinach (Nderema) is the #68 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Baringo County. Vine Spinach (Nderema)'s full potential is about 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 250,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Baringo's 71/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 4,438 kg/acre (~KES 221,900/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

71Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBaringo soilVine Spinach (Nderema) needsStatus
pH6.225.87OK
Nitrogen1.32 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.4 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium212 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall700 mm800–1,800 mmLow
Altitude900 m0–2,000 mOK

Planting calendar for Baringo

Long Rains· AprilJuneMain season here

April
Direct Sowing & Basal
May
Trellising & Top Dressing
June
Continuous Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Direct Sowing & Basal
November
Trellising & Top Dressing
December
Continuous Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2 and after each harvest
Instruction
Top-dress after each cutting for continuous leafy regrowth.
Bags per acre in Baringo
0.250.3

Baringo's nitrogen (1.32 g/kg) already meets Vine Spinach (Nderema)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield in Baringo4,438 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 221,900/acre
Adjusted for Baringo's 71/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Vine Spinach (Nderema) can reach 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 250,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag