Growing Spinach in Kwale

Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Kwale is well suited to Spinach. Kwale's soil (pH 6.76, near-neutral) gives Spinach a suitability score of 85/100. Match fertilizer to Kwale's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kwale County is well suited to Spinach, scoring 85/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Spinach 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 Spinach, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 25/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Spinach crop here can gross roughly KES 200,000 per acre.

85Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKwale soilSpinach 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 mm600–1,400 mmOK
Altitude200 m0–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2-3 after transplanting
Instruction
Apply when plants are established. Spinach is a leafy crop and needs nitrogen for continuous harvest.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

ViroflayMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 40-50 days · 3–4 tons/acre
Large dark leaves; continuous harvest; heat tolerant.
Giant NobelMedium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 45-55 days · 3.5–4.5 tons/acre
Vigorous growth; smooth leaves; good market demand.

Economics

Market priceKES 25/kg
Expected yield 8,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 200,000/acre

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