Growing Beetroot in Garissa

Soil suitability analysis based on Garissa's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Garissa is poorly suited to Beetroot. Garissa's soil (pH 7.96, alkaline) gives Beetroot a suitability score of 1/100. Match fertilizer to Garissa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Garissa County is a challenging environment for Beetroot (soil-match score 1/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.96 the soil sits above Beetroot's preferred 6–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.61 g/kg, P 37.7 mg/kg, K 407 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Beetroot prefers loam soils, while Garissa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Garissa receives approximately 250 mm/year — well below Beetroot's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Beetroot is the #77 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Garissa County. Beetroot's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 500,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Garissa's 1/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 125 kg/acre (~KES 6,250/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Garissa's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.

1Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorGarissa soilBeetroot needsStatus
pH7.9667.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.61 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus37.7 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium407 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall250 mm500–1,200 mmLow
Altitude200 m800–2,500 mLow

Planting calendar for Garissa

Long Rains· MarchMay

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

Short Rains· OctoberDecemberMain season here

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 Garissa
0.50.4

Garissa's nitrogen (0.61 g/kg) is 51% of the 1.2 g/kg Beetroot needs, so the standard 0.4 bags/acre is raised to 0.5. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield in Garissa125 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 6,250/acre
Adjusted for Garissa's 1/100 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