Growing Garlic in Bungoma

Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Possible but challenging — Bungoma is only marginally suited to Garlic. Bungoma's soil (pH 5.56, slightly acidic) gives Garlic a suitability score of 51/100. Match fertilizer to Bungoma's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Garlic can be grown in Bungoma County, but the soil scores 51/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.56 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Garlic's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 1.12 g/kg, P 15.7 mg/kg, K 161 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Garlic prefers sandy loam soils, while Bungoma is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Garlic's full potential is about 3,000 kg/acre (~KES 825,000/acre at KES 275/kg), but at Bungoma's 51/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,912 kg/acre (~KES 525,800/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

51Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBungoma soilGarlic needsStatus
pH5.5667.5Adjust
Nitrogen1.12 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus15.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium161 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,400 mm500–900 mmHigh
Altitude1,500 m0–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3-4 after planting
Instruction
Apply when shoots are 15cm tall. Stop nitrogen applications once bulbing begins.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

Early PinkMedium/Highland
Local/KALRO · 120-150 days · 1–1.5 tons/acre
Good bulb size; pungent flavor; stores well.
Purple StripeHighland
Local · 130-160 days · 0.9–1.3 tons/acre
High allicin content; excellent storage; suited to cold highlands.

Economics

Market priceKES 275/kg
Expected yield in Bungoma1,912 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 525,800/acre
Adjusted for Bungoma's 51/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Garlic can reach 3,000 kg/acre (~KES 825,000/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(4,500)
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