Growing Strawberry in Nyandarua

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyandarua's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Nyandarua is well suited to Strawberry. Nyandarua's soil (pH 5.38, strongly acidic) gives Strawberry a suitability score of 77/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Nyandarua County is well suited to Strawberry, scoring 77/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.38 the soil is moderately acidic, below Strawberry's preferred 5.5–6.8 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 1.28 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Strawberry prefers loam soils, while Nyandarua is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Strawberry is the #14 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyandarua County. At current prices (about KES 200/kg) and a typical 6,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Strawberry crop here can gross roughly KES 1,200,000 per acre.

77Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNyandarua soilStrawberry needsStatus
pH5.385.56.8Adjust
Nitrogen1.28 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus14 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium166 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,100 mm700–1,500 mmOK
Altitude2,300 m1,500–2,800 mOK

Planting calendar for Nyandarua

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

March
Runner Transplanting & Basal
April
Mulching & Top Dressing
May
Fruiting & Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Runner Transplanting & Basal
November
Mulching & Top Dressing
December
Fruiting & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Every 3 weeks in season
Instruction
Split-feed through the fruiting window. Add foliar calcium and potassium for fruit quality.
Bags per acre in Nyandarua
0.50.4

Nyandarua's nitrogen (1.28 g/kg) already meets Strawberry's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 200/kg
Expected yield in Nyandarua5,775 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 1,155,000/acre
Adjusted for Nyandarua's 77/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Strawberry can reach 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 1,200,000/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