Growing Cape Gooseberry in Kakamega

Soil suitability analysis based on Kakamega's nutrient profile

Kakamega County is a solid choice for Cape Gooseberry, with a soil-match score of 60/100. At an average pH of 5.63 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Cape Gooseberry's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 147 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Cape Gooseberry, which favours loam. Cape Gooseberry's full potential is about 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Kakamega's 60/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 3,750 kg/acre (~KES 450,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.