Growing Cabbage in Machakos
Soil suitability analysis based on Machakos's nutrient profile
Yes — Machakos is well suited to Cabbage. Machakos's soil (pH 7.03, near-neutral) gives Cabbage a suitability score of 76/100. Match fertilizer to Machakos's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Machakos County is well suited to Cabbage, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 7.03 — neutral and inside the 5–7.5 band Cabbage 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. Cabbage prefers clay loam soils, while Machakos is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cabbage is the #60 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Machakos County. At current prices (about KES 18/kg) and a typical 15,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cabbage crop here can gross roughly KES 270,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Machakos soil | Cabbage needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.03 | 5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.82 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 31.4 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 338 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 700 mm | 700–1,500 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,100 m | 800–2,500 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Machakos
Long Rains· March–May
Short Rains· October–DecemberMain season here
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Machakos's nitrogen (0.82 g/kg) is 68% of the 1.2 g/kg Cabbage needs, so the standard 1 bag/acre is raised to 1.5. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Machakos's 1,100 m altitude and 700 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag