Growing Cabbage in Laikipia

Soil suitability analysis based on Laikipia's nutrient profile

Cabbage can be grown in Laikipia County, but the soil scores 51/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 4.99 the soil is strongly acidic, below Cabbage's preferred 5–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is phosphorus — measured at N 1.42 g/kg, P 16.6 mg/kg, K 215 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Cabbage prefers clay loam soils, while Laikipia is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cabbage is the #65 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Laikipia County. Cabbage's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre at KES 18/kg), but at Laikipia's 51/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 9,563 kg/acre (~KES 172,134/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Laikipia's soil: Sweet Potato, Finger Millet, and Groundnuts — each scores higher on the same soil.