Growing Broccoli in Kwale

Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile

Kwale County is a challenging environment for Broccoli (soil-match score 1/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Broccoli 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 Broccoli, which favours loam. At 200 m, the county sits below Broccoli's preferred altitude range (1800–2800 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 90/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Broccoli crop here can gross roughly KES 450,000 per acre.