Open-Field Tomato Production (90 Days)
A comprehensive tomato farming guide for open-field production covering variety selection, nursery management, transplanting, irrigation, integrated pest management, and post-harvest handling. Optimised for Kenya's highland and midland growing conditions.
MkulimaHub Advisory Team
Curated by certified agronomists, veterinarians, and agricultural engineers across Kenya
10 years experience
These programmes are developed and reviewed by the MkulimaHub editorial team in collaboration with practising agronomists, veterinarians, and agricultural engineers across Kenya. Every activity is grounded in Kenyan growing conditions, locally available inputs, and real market realities.
Sample Schedule (First 2 Weeks)
Site & Variety Selection
Choose a well-drained site with loam soil, pH 5.5–7.0. Select a high-yielding disease-resistant variety: Kilele F1, Rambo F1, or Anna F1. Avoid waterlogged areas.
Nursery Bed Preparation & Sowing
Prepare raised nursery beds (1 m wide). Mix top soil, compost, and sand 2:1:1. Treat with Dithane M-45. Sow seeds in rows 10 cm apart, 1 cm deep. Mulch with dry grass.
Land Preparation Begins
Deep plough main field to 30 cm. Incorporate farmyard manure (10 t/ha) or compost (5 t/ha) during secondary tillage. Apply DAP 50 kg/ha as basal dressing.
Nursery Hardening Begins
Gradually reduce nursery irrigation and increase sun exposure. This reduces transplanting shock. Continue for 7 days.
Bed Formation & Drip Installation
Form raised beds (15–20 cm high, 1 m wide) with 50 cm pathways. Install drip irrigation lines. Test for uniform flow.
Transplanting Day
Transplant seedlings (18–25 days old, 4–5 true leaves) in the evening. Water planting holes. Apply 50 ml diluted starter fertiliser per hole. Mulch around plants.
Post-Transplant Fertiliser
Apply CAN at 50 kg/ha as top dress at planting holes, keeping 10 cm from stems.
Register free to see all 21 activities
+ 14 more activities across 90 days
Full 90-day program
- Daily activity guidance
- SMS reminders
- Expert Q&A access