Growing Leek in Kwale

Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile

Kwale County is a challenging environment for Leek (soil-match score 5/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Leek prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.93 g/kg, P 9.8 mg/kg, K 131 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Leek, which favours loam. At 200 m, the county sits below Leek's preferred altitude range (800–2500 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. Leek's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Kwale's 5/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 625 kg/acre (~KES 37,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.