Growing Wambugu Apples in Kajiado

Soil suitability analysis based on Kajiado's nutrient profile

Kajiado County is a challenging environment for Wambugu Apples (soil-match score 16/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.55 — neutral and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.97 g/kg), phosphorus (20.6 mg/kg) and potassium (257 mg/kg) all meet Wambugu Apples's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Wambugu Apples, which favours loam. Kajiado receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Wambugu Apples's minimum of 1000 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 75/kg) and a typical 2,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Wambugu Apples crop here can gross roughly KES 150,000 per acre.