Growing Lemon in Lamu

Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile

Lamu County is a solid choice for Lemon, with a soil-match score of 69/100. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Lemon 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. Lemon prefers loam soils, while Lamu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Lemon's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 500,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Lamu's 69/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 8,625 kg/acre (~KES 431,250/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

69Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorLamu soilLemon needsStatus
pH6.3167.5OK
Nitrogen0.74 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus9.6 mg/kgmin 20 mg/kgLow
Potassium117 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall600 mm600–1,500 mmOK
Altitude10 m0–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Pruning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Flowering & Fruit Set

Short Rains

Month 1
Transplanting & Basal
Month 2
Pruning & Top Dressing
Month 3
Fruit Development

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Three times per year
Instruction
Split citrus feeding across the year. Foliar zinc and manganese keep leaves healthy.
Bags per Acre
0.6

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield in Lamu8,625 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 431,250/acre
Adjusted for Lamu's 69/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Lemon can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 500,000/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