Growing Snow Peas in Kakamega
Soil suitability analysis based on Kakamega's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Kakamega is moderately suited to Snow Peas. Kakamega's soil (pH 5.63, slightly acidic) gives Snow Peas a suitability score of 57/100. Match fertilizer to Kakamega's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Snow Peas can be grown in Kakamega County, but the soil scores 57/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.63 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Snow Peas prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 147 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Snow Peas, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Snow Peas is the #47 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kakamega County. Snow Peas's full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 333,000/acre at KES 185/kg), but at Kakamega's 57/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,283 kg/acre (~KES 237,355/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Kakamega's soil: Soybeans, Rice (Lowland/Paddy), and Sweet Potato — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kakamega soil | Snow Peas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.63 | 5.5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.01 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 14 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 147 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,900 mm | 700–1,200 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 1,500–3,000 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Kakamega's nitrogen reads 1.01 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Snow Peas is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Kakamega
Varieties suited to Kakamega's 1,500 m altitude and 1,900 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 snow peas varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag