Growing Beetroot in Bomet

Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Bomet is moderately suited to Beetroot. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Beetroot a suitability score of 73/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Bomet County is a solid choice for Beetroot, with a soil-match score of 73/100. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Beetroot prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Beetroot's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Beetroot, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Beetroot is the #60 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bomet County. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 10,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Beetroot crop here can gross roughly KES 500,000 per acre.

73Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBomet soilBeetroot needsStatus
pH6.0267.5OK
Nitrogen1.38 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.6 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium237 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,500 mm500–1,200 mmHigh
Altitude1,900 m800–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar for Bomet

Long Rains· AprilJuneMain season here

April
Direct Sowing & Basal
May
Thinning & Top Dressing
June
Root Bulking & Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Direct Sowing & Basal
November
Thinning & Top Dressing
December
Root Bulking & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and week 6
Instruction
Add potassium for root bulking. Boron foliar prevents internal black spot.
Bags per acre in Bomet
0.50.4

Bomet's nitrogen (1.38 g/kg) already meets Beetroot's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield in Bomet9,125 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 456,250/acre
Adjusted for Bomet's 73/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Beetroot can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 500,000/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