Growing Kale (Sukuma Wiki) in Kilifi

Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile

Kilifi County is a challenging environment for Kale (Sukuma Wiki) (soil-match score 7/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Kale (Sukuma Wiki) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.8 g/kg, P 11 mg/kg, K 109 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Kale (Sukuma Wiki) prefers clay loam soils, while Kilifi is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 150 m, the county sits below Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s preferred altitude range (500–2500 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s full potential is about 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 240,000/acre at KES 20/kg), but at Kilifi's 7/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,050 kg/acre (~KES 21,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.