Growing Spinach in Nairobi
Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile
Nairobi County is well suited to Spinach, scoring 92/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.85 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Spinach 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/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Spinach, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 25/kg) and a typical 3,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Spinach crop here can gross roughly KES 87,500 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Nairobi soil | Spinach needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.85 | 6–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.1 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 22.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 236 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
Recommended seed varieties
ViroflayMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 40-50 days · 60-80 bags/acre
Large dark leaves; continuous harvest; heat tolerant.
Giant NobelMedium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 45-55 days · 70-90 bags/acre
Vigorous growth; smooth leaves; good market demand.
Economics
Market priceKES 25/kg
Expected yield3,500 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 87,500/acre
Preferred textureLoam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag