Growing French Beans in Machakos

Soil suitability analysis based on Machakos's nutrient profile

French Beans can be grown in Machakos County, but the soil scores 51/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 7.03 the soil sits above French Beans's preferred 5.8–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.82 g/kg), phosphorus (31.4 mg/kg) and potassium (338 mg/kg) all meet French Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit French Beans, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 3,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed French Beans crop here can gross roughly KES 240,000 per acre.