Growing Snow Peas in Siaya
Soil suitability analysis based on Siaya's nutrient profile
Possible but challenging — Siaya is only marginally suited to Snow Peas. Siaya's soil (pH 5.33, strongly acidic) gives Snow Peas a suitability score of 46/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Snow Peas can be grown in Siaya County, but the soil scores 46/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.33 the soil is moderately acidic, below Snow Peas's preferred 5.5–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.2 g/kg, P 12.1 mg/kg, K 134 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Snow Peas, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Snow Peas is the #89 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Siaya County. Snow Peas's full potential is about 1,800 kg/acre (~KES 333,000/acre at KES 185/kg), but at Siaya's 46/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,035 kg/acre (~KES 191,475/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Siaya's soil: Macadamia, Pineapple, and Avocado — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Siaya soil | Snow Peas needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.33 | 5.5–7.5 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.2 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.1 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 134 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 700–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,200 m | 1,500–3,000 m | Low |
Top dressing guide
Siaya's nitrogen reads 1.2 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Snow Peas is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Siaya
Varieties suited to Siaya's 1,200 m altitude and 1,200 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 2 snow peas varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag