Growing Carrot in Mombasa

Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Mombasa is poorly suited to Carrot. Mombasa's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Carrot a suitability score of 0/100. Match fertilizer to Mombasa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Mombasa County is a challenging environment for Carrot (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Carrot prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.95 g/kg, P 8.4 mg/kg, K 136 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Carrot, which favours sandy loam. At 50 m, the county sits below Carrot's preferred altitude range (1000–2500 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. Carrot's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 380,000/acre at KES 38/kg), but at Mombasa's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

0Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMombasa soilCarrot needsStatus
pH6.245.57OK
Nitrogen0.95 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus8.4 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium136 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,000 mm600–1,200 mmOK
Altitude50 m1,000–2,500 mLow

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4-5 after sowing
Instruction
Apply at thinning stage when roots begin swelling. Avoid over-application — causes forked roots.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

NantesMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 70-80 days · 4–5 tons/acre
Cylindrical roots; sweet flavor; excellent fresh market variety.
ChantenayMedium
Simlaw Seeds · 75-90 days · 3.5–4.5 tons/acre
Broad shoulders; good for heavy soils; reliable yield.

Economics

Market priceKES 38/kg
Expected yield in Mombasa0 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 0/acre
Adjusted for Mombasa's 0/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Carrot can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 380,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag