Growing Cape Gooseberry in Kiambu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kiambu's nutrient profile

Kiambu County is a solid choice for Cape Gooseberry, with a soil-match score of 67/100. At an average pH of 5.28 the soil is moderately acidic, below Cape Gooseberry's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.01 g/kg, P 13.7 mg/kg, K 169 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Cape Gooseberry prefers loam soils, while Kiambu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Cape Gooseberry's full potential is about 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Kiambu's 67/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 4,188 kg/acre (~KES 502,560/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

67Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKiambu soilCape Gooseberry needsStatus
pH5.2867.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.01 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus13.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium169 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,100 mm700–1,400 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m1,200–2,600 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Staking & Top Dressing
Month 3
Fruiting & Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Staking & Top Dressing
Month 3
Fruiting & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4 and at flowering
Instruction
Add potassium at fruiting. Excess nitrogen delays fruit set.
Bags per Acre
0.4

Economics

Market priceKES 120/kg
Expected yield in Kiambu4,188 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 502,560/acre
Adjusted for Kiambu's 67/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Cape Gooseberry can reach 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/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