Growing Cabbage in Taita Taveta

Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile

Taita Taveta County is a challenging environment for Cabbage (soil-match score 30/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 5–7.5 band Cabbage prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 12.9 mg/kg, K 104 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly loam soils suit Cabbage, which favours clay loam. Taita Taveta receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Cabbage's minimum of 700 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Cabbage's full potential is about 15,000 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre at KES 18/kg), but at Taita Taveta's 30/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 5,625 kg/acre (~KES 101,250/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.