Growing Garden Peas in Garissa

Soil suitability analysis based on Garissa's nutrient profile

Garissa County is a challenging environment for Garden Peas (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.96 the soil sits above Garden Peas's preferred 5.5–7 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 Garden Peas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Garden Peas, which favours sandy loam. Garissa receives approximately 250 mm/year — well below Garden Peas's minimum of 800 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 145/kg) and a typical 2,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Garden Peas crop here can gross roughly KES 290,000 per acre.