Growing Garlic in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Kericho County is a challenging environment for Garlic (soil-match score 41/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 5.94 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. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Garlic's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Garlic prefers sandy loam soils, while Kericho is largely clay, 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 Kericho's 41/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,537 kg/acre (~KES 422,675/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.