Growing Sweet Orange in Kiambu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kiambu's nutrient profile

Kiambu County is a solid choice for Sweet Orange, with a soil-match score of 60/100. At an average pH of 5.28 the soil is moderately acidic, below Sweet Orange's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. 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. Sweet Orange prefers loam soils, while Kiambu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Sweet Orange's full potential is about 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Kiambu's 60/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 9,000 kg/acre (~KES 450,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.