Growing Dolichos in Kiambu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kiambu's nutrient profile
Yes — Kiambu is well suited to Dolichos. Kiambu's soil (pH 5.28, strongly acidic) gives Dolichos a suitability score of 76/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Kiambu County is well suited to Dolichos, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.28 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7.5 band Dolichos prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.01 g/kg), phosphorus (13.7 mg/kg) and potassium (169 mg/kg) all meet Dolichos's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Dolichos prefers sandy loam soils, while Kiambu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Dolichos is the #18 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kiambu County. At current prices (about KES 120/kg) and a typical 600 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Dolichos crop here can gross roughly KES 72,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kiambu soil | Dolichos needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.28 | 5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.01 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 13.7 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 169 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,100 mm | 400–1,000 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 1,000–2,100 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 reads 1.01 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Dolichos is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Kiambu
Varieties suited to Kiambu's 1,700 m altitude and 1,100 mm annual rainfall — 6 of 6 dolichos varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag