Growing Rosemary in Nairobi
Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile
Nairobi County is well suited to Rosemary, scoring 93/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.85 — neutral and inside the 6–8 band Rosemary prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.1 g/kg), phosphorus (22.1 mg/kg) and potassium (236 mg/kg) all meet Rosemary's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Rosemary prefers sandy loam soils, while Nairobi is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 150/kg) and a typical 2,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Rosemary crop here can gross roughly KES 375,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nairobi soil | Rosemary needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.85 | 6–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.1 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 22.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 236 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 400–900 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,700 m | 800–2,400 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Cutting Establishment
Month 2
Weeding & Light Feeding
Month 3
Harvest & Pruning
Short Rains
Month 1
Cutting Establishment
Month 2
Weeding
Month 3
Harvest & Pruning
Top dressing guide
Product
CAN
Timing
Twice per season
Instruction
Light feeder — over-feeding reduces oil content and hardiness.
Bags per Acre
0.2
Economics
Market priceKES 150/kg
Expected yield 2,500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 375,000/acre
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