Growing Cabbage in Kajiado
Soil suitability analysis based on Kajiado's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Kajiado is only marginally suited to Cabbage. Kajiado's soil (pH 6.55, near-neutral) gives Cabbage a suitability score of 44/100. Match fertilizer to Kajiado's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kajiado County is a challenging environment for Cabbage (soil-match score 44/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.55 — neutral and inside the 5–7.5 band Cabbage prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 20.6 mg/kg, K 257 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 Kajiado is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Kajiado receives approximately 500 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 #74 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kajiado County. Cabbage's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre at KES 18/kg), but at Kajiado's 44/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 8,250 kg/acre (~KES 148,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Kajiado's soil: Sorghum, Cowpeas, and Pigeon Peas — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kajiado soil | Cabbage needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.55 | 5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.97 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 20.6 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 257 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 500 mm | 700–1,500 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 1,300 m | 800–2,500 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kajiado
Long Rains· March–May
Short Rains· October–DecemberMain season here
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Kajiado's nitrogen (0.97 g/kg) is 81% of the 1.2 g/kg Cabbage needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Kajiado
Varieties suited to Kajiado's 1,300 m altitude and 500 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 cabbage varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag