Growing Watermelon in Tana River
Soil suitability analysis based on Tana River's nutrient profile
Yes — Tana River is well suited to Watermelon. Tana River's soil (pH 6.4, slightly acidic) gives Watermelon a suitability score of 83/100. Match fertilizer to Tana River's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Tana River County is well suited to Watermelon, scoring 83/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.4 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Watermelon prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 1.04 g/kg, P 8.5 mg/kg, K 108 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Watermelon, which favours sandy. At current prices (about KES 10/kg) and a typical 15,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Watermelon crop here can gross roughly KES 150,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Tana River soil | Watermelon needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.4 | 6–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.04 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 8.5 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 108 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 400 mm | 300–700 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–1,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag