Growing Snow Peas in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Kericho is moderately suited to Snow Peas. Kericho's soil (pH 5.94, slightly acidic) gives Snow Peas a suitability score of 66/100. Match fertilizer to Kericho's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kericho County is a solid choice for Snow Peas, with a soil-match score of 66/100. Local soils average pH 5.94 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Snow Peas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Snow Peas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Snow Peas prefers loam soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Snow Peas's full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 333,000/acre at KES 185/kg), but at Kericho's 66/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,485 kg/acre (~KES 274,725/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

66Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKericho soilSnow Peas needsStatus
pH5.945.57.5OK
Nitrogen1.34 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium225 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,800 mm700–1,200 mmHigh
Altitude2,000 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 Kericho1,485 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 274,725/acre
Adjusted for Kericho's 66/100 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