Growing Cabbage in Murang'a

Soil suitability analysis based on Murang'a's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Murang'a is moderately suited to Cabbage. Murang'a's soil (pH 5.03, strongly acidic) gives Cabbage a suitability score of 65/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Murang'a County is a solid choice for Cabbage, with a soil-match score of 65/100. Local soils average pH 5.03 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7.5 band Cabbage prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 1.2 g/kg, P 12.2 mg/kg, K 168 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay soils suit Cabbage, which favours clay loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cabbage is the #42 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Murang'a County. Cabbage's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre at KES 18/kg), but at Murang'a's 65/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 12,188 kg/acre (~KES 219,384/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

65Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMurang'a soilCabbage needsStatus
pH5.0357.5OK
Nitrogen1.2 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.2 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium168 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,200 mm700–1,500 mmOK
Altitude1,500 m800–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar for Murang'a

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

March
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
April
Top Dressing & Caterpillar Control
May
Head Formation & Pest Scouting

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Nursery & Transplanting
November
Top Dressing & Pest Control
December
Harvesting

Dry Season· JanuaryMarch

January
Irrigation-based Transplanting
February
Top Dressing & Pest Management
March
Harvesting & Land Preparation

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and Week 6 after transplanting
Instruction
Split into 2 applications. Cabbage is a heavy N feeder.
Bags per acre in Murang'a
1

Murang'a's nitrogen (1.2 g/kg) already meets Cabbage's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Seed varieties for Murang'a

Varieties suited to Murang'a's 1,500 m altitude and 1,200 mm annual rainfall — 2 of 2 cabbage varieties we list.

Gloria F1Medium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 70-85 days · 15–20 tons/acre
Compact heads; tolerant to black rot.
Copenhagen MarketMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 80-95 days · 12.5–17.5 tons/acre
Round heads; reliable open-pollinated variety.

Economics

Market priceKES 18/kg
Expected yield in Murang'a12,188 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 219,384/acre
Adjusted for Murang'a's 65/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Cabbage can reach 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureClay Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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