Growing Beetroot in Kwale
Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Kwale is poorly suited to Beetroot. Kwale's soil (pH 6.76, near-neutral) gives Beetroot a suitability score of 5/100. Match fertilizer to Kwale's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kwale County is a challenging environment for Beetroot (soil-match score 5/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Beetroot prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.93 g/kg, P 9.8 mg/kg, K 131 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Beetroot, which favours loam. At 200 m, the county sits below Beetroot's preferred altitude range (800–2500 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Beetroot is the #76 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kwale County. Beetroot's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 500,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Kwale's 5/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 625 kg/acre (~KES 31,250/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Kwale's soil: Dhania, Pigeon Peas, and Mango — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kwale soil | Beetroot needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.76 | 6–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.93 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 9.8 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 131 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 500–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 200 m | 800–2,500 m | Low |
Planting calendar for Kwale
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Top dressing guide
Kwale's nitrogen (0.93 g/kg) is 78% of the 1.2 g/kg Beetroot needs, so the standard 0.4 bags/acre is raised to 0.5. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag