Growing Tomato in Nyandarua

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyandarua's nutrient profile

Nyandarua County is a challenging environment for Tomato (soil-match score 42/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 5.38 the soil is moderately acidic, below Tomato's preferred 6–7 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. Tomato prefers loam soils, while Nyandarua is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 2300 m, the county sits above Tomato's preferred altitude ceiling of 1800 m, where frost risk and cold nights reduce the crop's productivity. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Tomato is the #78 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyandarua County. Tomato's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 750,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Nyandarua's 42/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 7,875 kg/acre (~KES 393,750/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

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