Growing Lemongrass in Makueni
Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile
Lemongrass can be grown in Makueni County, but the soil scores 55/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 7.5 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Lemongrass prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.86 g/kg), phosphorus (29.6 mg/kg) and potassium (351 mg/kg) all meet Lemongrass's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Lemongrass, which favours loam. Lemongrass's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 480,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Makueni's 55/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 5,500 kg/acre (~KES 330,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Makueni soil | Lemongrass needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.5 | 5.5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.86 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 29.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 351 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 600 mm | 700–1,800 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 1,000 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Top dressing guide
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag