Growing Spinach in Kisumu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Kisumu is moderately suited to Spinach. Kisumu's soil (pH 5.54, slightly acidic) gives Spinach a suitability score of 69/100. Match fertilizer to Kisumu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kisumu County is a solid choice for Spinach, with a soil-match score of 69/100. At an average pH of 5.54 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Spinach's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.91 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Spinach prefers loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Spinach is the #48 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kisumu County. Spinach's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 200,000/acre at KES 25/kg), but at Kisumu's 69/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 6,900 kg/acre (~KES 172,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisumu soil | Spinach needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.54 | 6–7.5 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.91 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 12.5 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 166 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 600–1,400 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,150 m | 0–2,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Kisumu's nitrogen (0.91 g/kg) is 76% of the 1.2 g/kg Spinach needs, so the standard 0.5 bags/acre is raised to 0.75. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Kisumu's 1,150 m altitude and 1,200 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag