Growing Wambugu Apples in Kwale

Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile

Kwale County is a challenging environment for Wambugu Apples (soil-match score 1/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples 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 medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Wambugu Apples, which favours loam. At 200 m, the county sits below Wambugu Apples's preferred altitude range (1500–2500 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 75/kg) and a typical 2,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Wambugu Apples crop here can gross roughly KES 150,000 per acre.