Growing Cabbage in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Cabbage can be grown in Makueni County, but the soil scores 48/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 7.5 — alkaline and inside the 5–7.5 band Cabbage 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. Cabbage prefers clay loam soils, while Makueni is largely sandy loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Cabbage's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre at KES 18/kg), but at Makueni's 48/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 9,000 kg/acre (~KES 162,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.