Growing Kale (Sukuma Wiki) in Kwale

Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile

Kwale County is a challenging environment for Kale (Sukuma Wiki) (soil-match score 12/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 5–7 band Kale (Sukuma Wiki) 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/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Kale (Sukuma Wiki), which favours clay loam. At 200 m, the county sits below Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s preferred altitude range (500–2500 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 20/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Kale (Sukuma Wiki) crop here can gross roughly KES 100,000 per acre.

12Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientKwale soilKale (Sukuma Wiki) needsStatus
pH6.7657OK
Nitrogen0.93 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus9.8 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium131 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
First Harvest & Top Dressing
Month 3
Continuous Harvesting & Top Dressing

Short Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & Pest Control
Month 3
Continuous Harvesting

Dry Season

Month 1
Irrigation & Continuous Harvesting
Month 2
Top Dressing Every 3 Weeks
Month 3
Replanting if stand is old

Recommended seed varieties

Thousand HeadedMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 60-70 days · 100-120 bags/acre
Continuous harvesting up to 9 months.
Collard Mfalme F1Medium/Highland
Royal Seeds · 45-60 days · 140-160 bags/acre
High yielding hybrid; soft large leaves.

Economics

Market priceKES 20/kg
Expected yield5,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 100,000/acre

Preferred textureClay Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag