Growing Strawberry in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Makueni County is a challenging environment for Strawberry (soil-match score 21/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.5 the soil sits above Strawberry's preferred 5.5–6.8 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. 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 Strawberry, which favours loam. At 1000 m, the county sits below Strawberry's preferred altitude range (1500–2800 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. Strawberry's full potential is about 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 1,200,000/acre at KES 200/kg), but at Makueni's 21/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,575 kg/acre (~KES 315,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.