Growing Lettuce in Nyandarua

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyandarua's nutrient profile

Nyandarua County is a solid choice for Lettuce, with a soil-match score of 74/100. At an average pH of 5.38 the soil is moderately acidic, below Lettuce's preferred 6–7 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 Lettuce's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Lettuce prefers loam soils, while Nyandarua is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 7,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lettuce crop here can gross roughly KES 350,000 per acre.

74Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNyandarua soilLettuce needsStatus
pH5.3867Adjust
Nitrogen1.28 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus14 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium166 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,100 mm600–1,200 mmOK
Altitude2,300 m800–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting
Month 2
Top Dressing & Weeding
Month 3
Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Thinning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2 and 4 after transplanting
Instruction
Light feeder — split into two small applications to avoid bitterness.
Bags per Acre
0.3

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield in Nyandarua6,475 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 323,750/acre
Adjusted for Nyandarua's 74/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Lettuce can reach 7,000 kg/acre (~KES 350,000/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(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