Growing Mint in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Mint can be grown in Makueni County, but the soil scores 57/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 7.5 — alkaline and inside the 6–7.5 band Mint prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.86 g/kg, P 29.6 mg/kg, K 351 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Mint, which favours loam. Mint's full potential is about 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 400,000/acre at KES 100/kg), but at Makueni's 57/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 2,850 kg/acre (~KES 285,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.