Growing Garlic in Homa Bay

Soil suitability analysis based on Homa Bay's nutrient profile

Garlic can be grown in Homa Bay County, but the soil scores 56/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.27 the soil is moderately acidic, 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 1.05 g/kg, P 13.8 mg/kg, K 147 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 Homa Bay 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 Homa Bay's 56/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 2,100 kg/acre (~KES 577,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.