Growing Cabbage in Kiambu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kiambu's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Kiambu is moderately suited to Cabbage. Kiambu's soil (pH 5.28, strongly acidic) gives Cabbage a suitability score of 70/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Kiambu County is a solid choice for Cabbage, with a soil-match score of 70/100. Local soils average pH 5.28 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7.5 band Cabbage prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 13.7 mg/kg, K 169 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay soils suit Cabbage, which favours clay loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cabbage is the #36 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kiambu County. Cabbage's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre at KES 18/kg), but at Kiambu's 70/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 13,125 kg/acre (~KES 236,250/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kiambu soil | Cabbage needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.28 | 5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.01 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 13.7 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 169 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,100 mm | 700–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 800–2,500 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kiambu
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Kiambu's nitrogen (1.01 g/kg) is 84% of the 1.2 g/kg Cabbage needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Seed varieties for Kiambu
Varieties suited to Kiambu's 1,700 m altitude and 1,100 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 cabbage varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag