Growing Kale (Sukuma Wiki) in Lamu
Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile
Lamu County is a challenging environment for Kale (Sukuma Wiki) (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Kale (Sukuma Wiki) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Kale (Sukuma Wiki) prefers clay loam soils, while Lamu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 10 m, the county sits below Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s preferred altitude range (500–2500 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 20/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Kale (Sukuma Wiki) crop here can gross roughly KES 100,000 per acre.
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Lamu soil | Kale (Sukuma Wiki) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.31 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.74 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 9.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 117 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag