Growing Parsley in Kwale

Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile

Kwale County is a challenging environment for Parsley (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 Parsley 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 Parsley, which favours loam. At 200 m, the county sits below Parsley's preferred altitude range (800–2400 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. Parsley's full potential is about 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 400,000/acre at KES 100/kg), but at Kwale's 5/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 250 kg/acre (~KES 25,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

5Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKwale soilParsley needsStatus
pH6.7667.5OK
Nitrogen0.93 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus9.8 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium131 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow
Rainfall900 mm600–1,200 mmOK
Altitude200 m800–2,400 mLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Thinning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Continuous Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Thinning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Continuous Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and week 6
Instruction
Two light applications sustain continuous leaf harvest.
Bags per Acre
0.3

Economics

Market priceKES 100/kg
Expected yield in Kwale250 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 25,000/acre
Adjusted for Kwale's 5/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Parsley can reach 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 400,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag