Growing Parsley in Samburu

Soil suitability analysis based on Samburu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Samburu is poorly suited to Parsley. Samburu's soil (pH 8.28, alkaline) gives Parsley a suitability score of 18/100. Match fertilizer to Samburu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Samburu County is a challenging environment for Parsley (soil-match score 18/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.28 the soil sits above Parsley's preferred 6–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.67 g/kg, P 42.1 mg/kg, K 387 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Parsley prefers loam soils, while Samburu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Samburu receives approximately 350 mm/year — well below Parsley's minimum of 600 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Parsley is the #50 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Samburu County. Parsley's full potential is about 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 400,000/acre at KES 100/kg), but at Samburu's 18/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 900 kg/acre (~KES 90,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Samburu's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.

18Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorSamburu soilParsley needsStatus
pH8.2867.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.67 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus42.1 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium387 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall350 mm600–1,200 mmLow
Altitude900 m800–2,400 mOK

Planting calendar for Samburu

Long Rains· MarchMay

March
Direct Sowing & Basal
April
Thinning & Top Dressing
May
Continuous Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecemberMain season here

October
Direct Sowing & Basal
November
Thinning & Top Dressing
December
Continuous Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and week 6
Instruction
Two light applications sustain continuous leaf harvest.
Bags per acre in Samburu
0.50.3

Samburu's nitrogen (0.67 g/kg) is 56% of the 1.2 g/kg Parsley needs, so the standard 0.3 bags/acre is raised to 0.5. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.

Economics

Market priceKES 100/kg
Expected yield in Samburu900 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 90,000/acre
Adjusted for Samburu's 18/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Parsley can reach 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 400,000/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