Growing Kale (Sukuma Wiki) in Bomet
Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile
Yes — Bomet is well suited to Kale (Sukuma Wiki). Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Kale (Sukuma Wiki) a suitability score of 93/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bomet County is well suited to Kale (Sukuma Wiki), scoring 93/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Kale (Sukuma Wiki) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Kale (Sukuma Wiki), which favours clay loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Kale (Sukuma Wiki) is the #2 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bomet County. At current prices (about KES 20/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Kale (Sukuma Wiki) crop here can gross roughly KES 240,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bomet soil | Kale (Sukuma Wiki) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.02 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.38 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 237 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 700–1,800 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 500–2,500 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Bomet
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
Bomet's nitrogen (1.38 g/kg) already meets Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Bomet
Varieties suited to Bomet's 1,900 m altitude and 1,500 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 kale (sukuma wiki) varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag