Growing Lemon in Kirinyaga

Soil suitability analysis based on Kirinyaga's nutrient profile

Kirinyaga County is a solid choice for Lemon, with a soil-match score of 61/100. At an average pH of 5.31 the soil is moderately acidic, below Lemon's preferred 6–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 1.36 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 177 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Lemon prefers loam soils, while Kirinyaga is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Lemon's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 500,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Kirinyaga's 61/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 7,625 kg/acre (~KES 381,250/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.