Growing Spinach in Kericho
Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Kericho is moderately suited to Spinach. Kericho's soil (pH 5.94, slightly acidic) gives Spinach a suitability score of 71/100. Match fertilizer to Kericho's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kericho County is a solid choice for Spinach, with a soil-match score of 71/100. At an average pH of 5.94 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Spinach's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Spinach's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Spinach prefers loam soils, while Kericho is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Spinach is the #36 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kericho County. Spinach's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 200,000/acre at KES 25/kg), but at Kericho's 71/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 7,100 kg/acre (~KES 177,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kericho soil | Spinach needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.94 | 6–7.5 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.34 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.7 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 225 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,800 mm | 600–1,400 mm | High |
| Altitude | 2,000 m | 0–2,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Kericho's nitrogen (1.34 g/kg) already meets Spinach's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Kericho
Varieties suited to Kericho's 2,000 m altitude and 1,800 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 spinach varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag