Growing Tree Tomato (Tamarillo) in Nairobi

Soil suitability analysis based on Nairobi's nutrient profile

Nairobi County is well suited to Tree Tomato (Tamarillo), scoring 87/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.85 — neutral and inside the 5.8–7 band Tree Tomato (Tamarillo) 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/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Tree Tomato (Tamarillo), which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 80/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Tree Tomato (Tamarillo) crop here can gross roughly KES 640,000 per acre.

87Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNairobi soilTree Tomato (Tamarillo) needsStatus
pH6.855.87OK
Nitrogen1.1 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus22.1 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgOK
Potassium236 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall900 mm800–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,700 m1,500–2,800 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Staking & Top Dressing
Month 3
Fruit Development

Short Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Staking & Top Dressing
Month 3
Fruit Development

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Every 3 months
Instruction
Perennial — ring-apply around the drip line each quarter. Add NPK at flowering.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Economics

Market priceKES 80/kg
Expected yield 8,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 640,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

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