Growing Snow Peas in Kilifi

Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile

Kilifi County is a challenging environment for Snow Peas (soil-match score 1/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Snow Peas prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.8 g/kg, P 11 mg/kg, K 109 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Snow Peas, which favours loam. At 150 m, the county sits below Snow Peas's preferred altitude range (1500–3000 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 185/kg) and a typical 1,300 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Snow Peas crop here can gross roughly KES 240,500 per acre.

1Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientKilifi soilSnow Peas needsStatus
pH6.245.57.5OK
Nitrogen0.8 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus11 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium109 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Snow peas fix nitrogen. Apply calcium foliar to support flowering.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

Oregon Sugar PodMedium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 60-70 days · 15-20 bags/acre
Flat edible pods; excellent export quality; disease tolerant.
Mammoth MeltingHighland
Simlaw Seeds · 65-75 days · 16-22 bags/acre
Large pods; sweet flavor; suited to highland export production.

Economics

Market priceKES 185/kg
Expected yield1,300 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 240,500/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag