Growing Eggplant in Lamu
Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile
Lamu County is a challenging environment for Eggplant (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7 band Eggplant prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's high/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Eggplant prefers loam soils, while Lamu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 10 m, the county sits below Eggplant's preferred altitude range (500–1800 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Eggplant crop here can gross roughly KES 400,000 per acre.
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Lamu soil | Eggplant needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.31 | 5.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.74 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 9.6 mg/kg | min 20 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 117 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag