Growing French Beans in Garissa
Soil suitability analysis based on Garissa's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Garissa is poorly suited to French Beans. Garissa's soil (pH 7.96, alkaline) gives French Beans 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 French Beans (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.96 the soil sits above French Beans's preferred 5.8–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.61 g/kg), phosphorus (37.7 mg/kg) and potassium (407 mg/kg) all meet French Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. French Beans 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 French Beans's minimum of 900 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, French Beans is the #94 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Garissa County. French Beans's full potential is about 3,500 kg/acre (~KES 280,000/acre at KES 80/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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Garissa soil | French Beans needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.96 | 5.8–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.61 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 37.7 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 407 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 250 mm | 900–1,500 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 200 m | 1,000–2,100 m | Low |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag