Growing Lemongrass in Kajiado

Soil suitability analysis based on Kajiado's nutrient profile

Lemongrass can be grown in Kajiado County, but the soil scores 47/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.55 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Lemongrass prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.97 g/kg), phosphorus (20.6 mg/kg) and potassium (257 mg/kg) all meet Lemongrass's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Lemongrass, which favours loam. Kajiado receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Lemongrass's minimum of 700 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Lemongrass's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 480,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Kajiado's 47/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 4,700 kg/acre (~KES 282,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.