Growing Kale (Sukuma Wiki) in Nyandarua
Soil suitability analysis based on Nyandarua's nutrient profile
Nyandarua County is well suited to Kale (Sukuma Wiki), scoring 85/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.38 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7 band Kale (Sukuma Wiki) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.28 g/kg), phosphorus (14 mg/kg) and potassium (166 mg/kg) all meet Kale (Sukuma Wiki)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay soils suit Kale (Sukuma Wiki), which favours clay loam. At current prices (about KES 20/kg) and a typical 5,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Kale (Sukuma Wiki) crop here can gross roughly KES 100,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Nyandarua soil | Kale (Sukuma Wiki) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.38 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.28 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 14 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 166 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
First Harvest & Top Dressing
Month 3
Continuous Harvesting & Top Dressing
Short Rains
Month 1
Transplanting & Basal Fertilizer
Month 2
Top Dressing & Pest Control
Month 3
Continuous Harvesting
Dry Season
Month 1
Irrigation & Continuous Harvesting
Month 2
Top Dressing Every 3 Weeks
Month 3
Replanting if stand is old
Recommended seed varieties
Thousand HeadedMedium/Highland
Simlaw Seeds · 60-70 days · 100-120 bags/acre
Continuous harvesting up to 9 months.
Collard Mfalme F1Medium/Highland
Royal Seeds · 45-60 days · 140-160 bags/acre
High yielding hybrid; soft large leaves.
Economics
Market priceKES 20/kg
Expected yield5,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 100,000/acre
Preferred textureClay Loam
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