Growing Broccoli in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Makueni County is a challenging environment for Broccoli (soil-match score 13/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.5 — alkaline and inside the 6–7.5 band Broccoli prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.86 g/kg, P 29.6 mg/kg, K 351 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 1000 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.