Growing Guava in Nyandarua

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyandarua's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Possible but challenging — Nyandarua is only marginally suited to Guava. Nyandarua's soil (pH 5.38, strongly acidic) gives Guava a suitability score of 46/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Guava can be grown in Nyandarua County, but the soil scores 46/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.38 the soil is moderately acidic, below Guava's preferred 5.5–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.28 g/kg), phosphorus (14 mg/kg) and potassium (166 mg/kg) all meet Guava's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Guava prefers loam soils, while Nyandarua is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 2300 m, the county sits above Guava's preferred altitude ceiling of 1800 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Guava is the #74 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyandarua County. Guava's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Nyandarua's 46/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 5,750 kg/acre (~KES 345,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Nyandarua's soil: Tea, Pyrethrum, and Potato — each scores higher on the same soil.

46Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNyandarua soilGuava needsStatus
pH5.385.57.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.28 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus14 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium166 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,100 mm700–1,800 mmOK
Altitude2,300 m0–1,800 mHigh

Planting calendar for Nyandarua

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

March
Transplanting & Basal
April
Pruning & Top Dressing
May
Fruit Development

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Transplanting & Basal
November
Pruning & Top Dressing
December
Fruit Development

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Twice per year at start of rains
Instruction
Ring-apply around the drip line. Add NPK at flowering.
Bags per acre in Nyandarua
0.5

Nyandarua's nitrogen (1.28 g/kg) already meets Guava's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Nyandarua5,750 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 345,000/acre
Adjusted for Nyandarua's 46/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Guava can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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