Growing Onion in Nairobi
Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile
Yes — Nairobi is well suited to Onion. Nairobi's soil (pH 6.85, near-neutral) gives Onion a suitability score of 89/100. Match fertilizer to Nairobi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Nairobi County is well suited to Onion, scoring 89/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.85 — neutral and inside the 6–7 band Onion prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 1.1 g/kg, P 22.1 mg/kg, K 236 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Onion prefers sandy loam soils, while Nairobi is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 70/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Onion crop here can gross roughly KES 420,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nairobi soil | Onion needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.85 | 6–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.1 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 22.1 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 236 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 500–1,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag