Growing Tomato in Kwale
Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile
Yes — Kwale is well suited to Tomato. Kwale's soil (pH 6.76, near-neutral) gives Tomato a suitability score of 76/100. Match fertilizer to Kwale's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kwale County is well suited to Tomato, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 6–7 band Tomato 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 Tomato, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Tomato is the #48 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kwale County. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 15,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Tomato crop here can gross roughly KES 750,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kwale soil | Tomato needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.76 | 6–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.93 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 9.8 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 131 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 600–1,400 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kwale
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
Kwale's nitrogen (0.93 g/kg) is 78% of the 1.2 g/kg Tomato needs, so the standard 0.5 bags/acre is raised to 0.75. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Kwale's 200 m altitude and 900 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag