Growing Watermelon in Kwale
Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile
Yes — Kwale is well suited to Watermelon. Kwale's soil (pH 6.76, near-neutral) gives Watermelon 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 Watermelon, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Watermelon 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/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Watermelon, which favours sandy. At current prices (about KES 10/kg) and a typical 15,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Watermelon crop here can gross roughly KES 150,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kwale soil | Watermelon needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.76 | 6–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.93 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 9.8 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 131 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 300–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–1,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag