Growing Snow Peas in Nakuru

Soil suitability analysis based on Nakuru's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Nakuru is well suited to Snow Peas. Nakuru's soil (pH 6.28, slightly acidic) gives Snow Peas a suitability score of 93/100. Match fertilizer to Nakuru's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Nakuru County is well suited to Snow Peas, scoring 93/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.28 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Snow Peas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.59 g/kg), phosphorus (25.2 mg/kg) and potassium (239 mg/kg) all meet Snow Peas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Snow Peas, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 185/kg) and a typical 1,800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Snow Peas crop here can gross roughly KES 333,000 per acre.

93Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNakuru soilSnow Peas needsStatus
pH6.285.57.5OK
Nitrogen1.59 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.2 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium239 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall900 mm700–1,200 mmOK
Altitude1,750 m1,500–3,000 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Snow Peas are a legume and fix their own Nitrogen. No top dressing needed.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

Oregon Sugar PodMedium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 60-70 days · 750–1000 kg/acre
Flat edible pods; excellent export quality; disease tolerant.
Mammoth MeltingHighland
Simlaw Seeds · 65-75 days · 800–1100 kg/acre
Large pods; sweet flavor; suited to highland export production.

Economics

Market priceKES 185/kg
Expected yield 1,800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 333,000/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