Growing Rosemary in Wajir

Soil suitability analysis based on Wajir's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Wajir is poorly suited to Rosemary. Wajir's soil (pH 8.4, alkaline) gives Rosemary a suitability score of 1/100. Match fertilizer to Wajir's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Wajir County is a challenging environment for Rosemary (soil-match score 1/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 8.4 the soil sits above Rosemary's preferred 6–8 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.52 g/kg, P 39.3 mg/kg, K 396 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Rosemary, which favours sandy loam. Wajir receives approximately 200 mm/year — well below Rosemary's minimum of 400 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Rosemary is the #73 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Wajir County. Rosemary's full potential is about 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 375,000/acre at KES 150/kg), but at Wajir's 1/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 31 kg/acre (~KES 4,650/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Wajir's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.

1Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorWajir soilRosemary needsStatus
pH8.468Adjust
Nitrogen0.52 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgLow
Phosphorus39.3 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium396 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall200 mm400–900 mmLow
Altitude250 m800–2,400 mLow

Planting calendar for Wajir

Long Rains· MarchMay

March
Cutting Establishment
April
Weeding & Light Feeding
May
Harvest & Pruning

Short Rains· OctoberDecemberMain season here

October
Cutting Establishment
November
Weeding
December
Harvest & Pruning

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Twice per season
Instruction
Light feeder — over-feeding reduces oil content and hardiness.
Bags per acre in Wajir
0.250.2

Wajir's nitrogen (0.52 g/kg) is 65% of the 0.8 g/kg Rosemary needs, so the standard 0.2 bags/acre is raised to 0.25. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.

Economics

Market priceKES 150/kg
Expected yield in Wajir31 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 4,650/acre
Adjusted for Wajir's 1/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Rosemary can reach 2,500 kg/acre (~KES 375,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag