Growing French Beans in Kajiado
Soil suitability analysis based on Kajiado's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Kajiado is poorly suited to French Beans. Kajiado's soil (pH 6.55, near-neutral) gives French Beans a suitability score of 28/100. Match fertilizer to Kajiado's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kajiado County is a challenging environment for French Beans (soil-match score 28/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.55 — neutral and inside the 5.8–7 band French Beans prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.97 g/kg), phosphorus (20.6 mg/kg) and potassium (257 mg/kg) all meet French Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit French Beans, which favours loam. Kajiado receives approximately 500 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 #87 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kajiado County. French Beans's full potential is about 3,500 kg/acre (~KES 280,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Kajiado's 28/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,225 kg/acre (~KES 98,000/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 | French Beans needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.55 | 5.8–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.97 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 20.6 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 257 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 500 mm | 900–1,500 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 1,300 m | 1,000–2,100 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag