Growing Leek in Lamu

Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile

Lamu County is a challenging environment for Leek (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 6–7.5 band Leek 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/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Leek prefers loam soils, while Lamu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 10 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 Lamu's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

0Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorLamu soilLeek needsStatus
pH6.3167.5OK
Nitrogen0.74 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus9.6 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium117 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall600 mm600–1,200 mmOK
Altitude10 m800–2,500 mLow

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Earthing Up & Top Dressing
Month 3
Blanching & Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Nursery & Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Earthing Up & Top Dressing
Month 3
Blanching & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4 and week 8
Instruction
Earth up and top-dress to blanch the stems. Steady nitrogen for length.
Bags per Acre
0.4

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Lamu0 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 0/acre
Adjusted for Lamu's 0/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Leek can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/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