Growing Garden Peas in Kitui

Soil suitability analysis based on Kitui's nutrient profile

Kitui County is a challenging environment for Garden Peas (soil-match score 11/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.03 the soil sits above Garden Peas's preferred 5.5–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.74 g/kg), phosphorus (30.5 mg/kg) and potassium (339 mg/kg) all meet Garden Peas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Garden Peas, which favours sandy loam. Kitui receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Garden Peas's minimum of 800 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Garden Peas is the #97 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kitui County. Garden Peas's full potential is about 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 362,500/acre at KES 145/kg), but at Kitui's 11/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 344 kg/acre (~KES 49,880/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Kitui's soil: Mango, Sisal, and Moringa — each scores higher on the same soil.