Growing Broccoli in Machakos

Soil suitability analysis based on Machakos's nutrient profile

Machakos County is a challenging environment for Broccoli (soil-match score 24/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.03 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Broccoli prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.82 g/kg, P 31.4 mg/kg, K 338 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Broccoli, which favours loam. At 1100 m, the county sits below Broccoli's preferred altitude range (1800–2800 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 90/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Broccoli crop here can gross roughly KES 450,000 per acre.