Growing Cape Gooseberry in Bomet
Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile
Yes — Bomet is well suited to Cape Gooseberry. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Cape Gooseberry a suitability score of 82/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bomet County is well suited to Cape Gooseberry, scoring 82/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Cape Gooseberry prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Cape Gooseberry's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Cape Gooseberry, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cape Gooseberry is the #35 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bomet County. At current prices (about KES 120/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cape Gooseberry crop here can gross roughly KES 600,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bomet soil | Cape Gooseberry needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.02 | 6–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.38 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 237 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 700–1,400 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 1,200–2,600 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Bomet
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Top dressing guide
Bomet's nitrogen (1.38 g/kg) already meets Cape Gooseberry's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag