Growing Snow Peas in Kakamega

Soil suitability analysis based on Kakamega's nutrient profile

Quick answer

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. 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.

57Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKakamega soilSnow Peas needsStatus
pH5.635.57.5OK
Nitrogen1.01 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus14 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium147 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,900 mm700–1,200 mmHigh
Altitude1,500 m1,500–3,000 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Snow Peas are a legume and fix their own Nitrogen. No top dressing needed.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

Oregon Sugar PodMedium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 60-70 days · 750–1000 kg/acre
Flat edible pods; excellent export quality; disease tolerant.
Mammoth MeltingHighland
Simlaw Seeds · 65-75 days · 800–1100 kg/acre
Large pods; sweet flavor; suited to highland export production.

Economics

Market priceKES 185/kg
Expected yield in Kakamega1,283 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 237,355/acre
Adjusted for Kakamega's 57/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Snow Peas can reach 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 333,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag