Growing Broccoli in Tharaka Nithi

Soil suitability analysis based on Tharaka Nithi's nutrient profile

Tharaka Nithi County is a challenging environment for Broccoli (soil-match score 23/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 4.99 the soil is strongly acidic, below Broccoli's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is phosphorus — measured at N 1.23 g/kg, P 19.6 mg/kg, K 211 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Broccoli, which favours loam. At 1100 m, the county sits below Broccoli's preferred altitude range (1800–2800 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Broccoli is the #102 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Tharaka Nithi County. Broccoli's full potential is about 6,000 kg/acre (~KES 540,000/acre at KES 90/kg), but at Tharaka Nithi's 23/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,725 kg/acre (~KES 155,250/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Tharaka Nithi's soil: Avocado, Macadamia, and Cassava — each scores higher on the same soil.