Growing Grapes in Lamu

Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile

Lamu County is a solid choice for Grapes, with a soil-match score of 74/100. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Grapes 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 medium/high/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Grapes prefers loam soils, while Lamu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 150/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Grapes crop here can gross roughly KES 1,200,000 per acre.

74Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorLamu soilGrapes needsStatus
pH6.3167.5OK
Nitrogen0.74 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgLow
Phosphorus9.6 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium117 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall600 mm500–1,000 mmOK
Altitude10 m0–1,800 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Pruning & Bud Break & Basal
Month 2
Training & Top Dressing
Month 3
Fruit Set & Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Pruning & Bud Break
Month 2
Training & Top Dressing
Month 3
Fruit Set & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
At bud break and fruit set
Instruction
Add potassium at veraison for sugar and colour. Avoid late nitrogen.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Economics

Market priceKES 150/kg
Expected yield in Lamu7,400 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 1,110,000/acre
Adjusted for Lamu's 74/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Grapes can reach 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 1,200,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag