Growing Radish in Garissa

Soil suitability analysis based on Garissa's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Garissa is poorly suited to Radish. Garissa's soil (pH 7.96, alkaline) gives Radish a suitability score of 3/100. Match fertilizer to Garissa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Garissa County is a challenging environment for Radish (soil-match score 3/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.96 the soil sits above Radish'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 medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Radish, which favours sandy loam. Garissa receives approximately 250 mm/year — well below Radish's minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Radish is the #60 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Garissa County. Radish's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 320,000/acre at KES 40/kg), but at Garissa's 3/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 300 kg/acre (~KES 12,000/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.

3Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorGarissa soilRadish needsStatus
pH7.9667.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.61 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgLow
Phosphorus37.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium407 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall250 mm500–1,000 mmLow
Altitude200 m500–2,500 mLow

Planting calendar for Garissa

Long Rains· MarchMay

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

Short Rains· OctoberDecemberMain season here

October
Direct Sowing & Basal
November
Thinning
December
Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2
Instruction
Fast crop — one light top-dress is enough. Excess nitrogen grows leaf not root.
Bags per acre in Garissa
0.250.2

Garissa's nitrogen (0.61 g/kg) is 76% of the 0.8 g/kg Radish needs, so the standard 0.2 bags/acre is raised to 0.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.

Economics

Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield in Garissa300 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 12,000/acre
Adjusted for Garissa's 3/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Radish can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 320,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy 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