Growing Snow Peas in Taita Taveta

Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile

Taita Taveta County is a challenging environment for Snow Peas (soil-match score 10/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Snow Peas prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 12.9 mg/kg, K 104 mg/kg against this crop's low/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly loam soils suit Snow Peas, which favours loam. Taita Taveta receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Snow Peas's minimum of 700 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 185/kg) and a typical 1,300 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Snow Peas crop here can gross roughly KES 240,500 per acre.

10Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientTaita Taveta soilSnow Peas needsStatus
pH6.645.57.5OK
Nitrogen0.97 g/kgmin 0.5 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.9 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium104 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgLow

Top dressing guide

Product
None
Timing
None required
Instruction
Snow peas fix nitrogen. Apply calcium foliar to support flowering.
Bags per Acre
0

Recommended seed varieties

Oregon Sugar PodMedium/Highland
East Africa Seeds · 60-70 days · 15-20 bags/acre
Flat edible pods; excellent export quality; disease tolerant.
Mammoth MeltingHighland
Simlaw Seeds · 65-75 days · 16-22 bags/acre
Large pods; sweet flavor; suited to highland export production.

Economics

Market priceKES 185/kg
Expected yield1,300 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 240,500/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag