Growing Guava in Kajiado
Soil suitability analysis based on Kajiado's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Kajiado is only marginally suited to Guava. Kajiado's soil (pH 6.55, near-neutral) gives Guava a suitability score of 47/100. Match fertilizer to Kajiado's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Guava can be grown in Kajiado County, but the soil scores 47/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.55 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Guava prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.97 g/kg), phosphorus (20.6 mg/kg) and potassium (257 mg/kg) all meet Guava's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Guava, which favours loam. Kajiado receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Guava's minimum of 700 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Guava is the #66 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kajiado County. Guava's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Kajiado's 47/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 5,875 kg/acre (~KES 352,500/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 | Guava needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.55 | 5.5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.97 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 20.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 257 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 500 mm | 700–1,800 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 1,300 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kajiado
Long Rains· March–May
Short Rains· October–DecemberMain season here
Top dressing guide
Kajiado's nitrogen (0.97 g/kg) already meets Guava's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag