Growing Carrot in Kwale

Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile

Kwale County is a challenging environment for Carrot (soil-match score 3/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Carrot prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.93 g/kg, P 9.8 mg/kg, K 131 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Carrot, which favours sandy loam. At 200 m, the county sits below Carrot's preferred altitude range (1000–2500 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 38/kg) and a typical 5,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Carrot crop here can gross roughly KES 209,000 per acre.