Growing Cabbage in Garissa

Soil suitability analysis based on Garissa's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Garissa is poorly suited to Cabbage. Garissa's soil (pH 7.96, alkaline) gives Cabbage a suitability score of 0/100. Match fertilizer to Garissa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Garissa County is a challenging environment for Cabbage (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.96 the soil sits above Cabbage's preferred 5–7.5 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. Cabbage prefers clay loam soils, while Garissa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Garissa receives approximately 250 mm/year — well below Cabbage's minimum of 700 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cabbage is the #87 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Garissa County. Cabbage's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre at KES 18/kg), but at Garissa's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/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.

0Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorGarissa soilCabbage needsStatus
pH7.965–7.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.61 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus37.7 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium407 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall250 mm700–1,500 mmLow
Altitude200 m800–2,500 mLow

Planting calendar for Garissa

Long Rains· March–May

March
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
April
Top Dressing & Caterpillar Control
May
Head Formation & Pest Scouting

Short Rains· October–DecemberMain season here

October
Nursery & Transplanting
November
Top Dressing & Pest Control
December
Harvesting

Dry Season· January–March

January
Irrigation-based Transplanting
February
Top Dressing & Pest Management
March
Harvesting & Land Preparation

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and Week 6 after transplanting
Instruction
Split into 2 applications. Cabbage is a heavy N feeder.
Bags per acre in Garissa
1.51

Garissa's nitrogen (0.61 g/kg) is 51% of the 1.2 g/kg Cabbage needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.5. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.

Recommended seed varieties

No variety in our list is specifically rated for Garissa's 200 m altitude and 250 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.

Gloria F1Medium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 70-85 days · 15–20 tons/acre
Compact heads; tolerant to black rot.
Copenhagen MarketMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 80-95 days · 12.5–17.5 tons/acre
Round heads; reliable open-pollinated variety.

Economics

Market priceKES 18/kg
Expected yield in Garissa0 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 0/acre
Adjusted for Garissa's 0/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Cabbage can reach 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureClay Loam

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