Growing Lemongrass in Kisumu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile
Kisumu County is well suited to Lemongrass, scoring 78/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.54 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Lemongrass prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.91 g/kg), phosphorus (12.5 mg/kg) and potassium (166 mg/kg) all meet Lemongrass's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Lemongrass prefers loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 60/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lemongrass crop here can gross roughly KES 480,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisumu soil | Lemongrass needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.54 | 5.5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.91 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.5 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 166 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 700–1,800 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,150 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Top dressing guide
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag