Growing Leek in Kajiado

Soil suitability analysis based on Kajiado's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Kajiado is moderately suited to Leek. Kajiado's soil (pH 6.55, near-neutral) gives Leek a suitability score of 62/100. Match fertilizer to Kajiado's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Kajiado County is a solid choice for Leek, with a soil-match score of 62/100. Local soils average pH 6.55 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Leek prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 20.6 mg/kg, K 257 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Leek, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Leek is the #55 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kajiado County. Leek's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Kajiado's 62/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 7,750 kg/acre (~KES 465,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

62Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKajiado soilLeek needsStatus
pH6.5567.5OK
Nitrogen0.97 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus20.6 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium257 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall500 mm600–1,200 mmLow
Altitude1,300 m800–2,500 mOK

Planting calendar for Kajiado

Long Rains· MarchMay

March
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal
April
Earthing Up & Top Dressing
May
Blanching & Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecemberMain season here

October
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal
November
Earthing Up & Top Dressing
December
Blanching & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4 and week 8
Instruction
Earth up and top-dress to blanch the stems. Steady nitrogen for length.
Bags per acre in Kajiado
0.50.4

Kajiado's nitrogen (0.97 g/kg) is 81% of the 1.2 g/kg Leek needs, so the standard 0.4 bags/acre is raised to 0.5. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Kajiado7,750 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 465,000/acre
Adjusted for Kajiado's 62/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Leek can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

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