Growing Spinach in Kilifi

Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile

Kilifi County is well suited to Spinach, scoring 78/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Spinach 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. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Spinach, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 25/kg) and a typical 3,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Spinach crop here can gross roughly KES 87,500 per acre.

78Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientKilifi soilSpinach needsStatus
pH6.2467.5OK
Nitrogen0.8 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus11 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium109 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow

Recommended seed varieties

ViroflayMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 40-50 days · 60-80 bags/acre
Large dark leaves; continuous harvest; heat tolerant.
Giant NobelMedium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 45-55 days · 70-90 bags/acre
Vigorous growth; smooth leaves; good market demand.

Economics

Market priceKES 25/kg
Expected yield3,500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 87,500/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