Growing Tea in Kisii
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisii's nutrient profile
Yes — Kisii is well suited to Tea. Kisii's soil (pH 5.21, strongly acidic) gives Tea a suitability score of 90/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Kisii County is well suited to Tea, scoring 90/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.21 — moderately acidic and inside the 4.5–6 band Tea prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 1.09 g/kg, P 13.1 mg/kg, K 151 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Tea, which favours clay. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Tea is the single best-matched crop of the 106 we assess for Kisii County. At current prices (about KES 25/kg) and a typical 2,200 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Tea crop here can gross roughly KES 55,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisii soil | Tea needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.21 | 4.5–6 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.09 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 13.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 151 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 1,100–2,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 1,500–3,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag