Growing Cabbage in Kirinyaga
Soil suitability analysis based on Kirinyaga's nutrient profile
Kirinyaga County is a solid choice for Cabbage, with a soil-match score of 72/100. Local soils average pH 5.31 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7.5 band Cabbage prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 1.36 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 177 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay soils suit Cabbage, which favours clay loam. At current prices (about KES 18/kg) and a typical 15,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cabbage crop here can gross roughly KES 270,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kirinyaga soil | Cabbage needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.31 | 5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.36 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.5 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 177 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,300 mm | 700–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 800–2,500 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & Caterpillar Control
Month 3
Head Formation & Pest Scouting
Short Rains
Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting
Month 2
Top Dressing & Pest Control
Month 3
Harvesting
Dry Season
Month 1
Irrigation-based Transplanting
Month 2
Top Dressing & Pest Management
Month 3
Harvesting & Land Preparation
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and Week 6 after transplanting
Instruction
Split into 2 applications. Cabbage is a heavy N feeder.
Bags per Acre
1
Recommended seed varieties
Gloria F1Medium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 70-85 days · 15–20 tons/acre
Compact heads; tolerant to black rot.
Copenhagen MarketMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 80-95 days · 12.5–17.5 tons/acre
Round heads; reliable open-pollinated variety.
Economics
Market priceKES 18/kg
Expected yield in Kirinyaga13,500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 243,000/acre
Adjusted for Kirinyaga's 72/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Cabbage can reach 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.
Preferred textureClay Loam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag