Growing Snow Peas in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Makueni County is a challenging environment for Snow Peas (soil-match score 25/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.5 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Snow Peas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.86 g/kg), phosphorus (29.6 mg/kg) and potassium (351 mg/kg) all meet Snow Peas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Snow Peas, which favours loam. At 1000 m, the county sits below Snow Peas's preferred altitude range (1500–3000 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 185/kg) and a typical 1,300 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Snow Peas crop here can gross roughly KES 240,500 per acre.