Growing Basil in Nakuru
Soil suitability analysis based on Nakuru's nutrient profile
Yes — Nakuru is well suited to Basil. Nakuru's soil (pH 6.28, slightly acidic) gives Basil a suitability score of 90/100. Match fertilizer to Nakuru's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Nakuru County is well suited to Basil, scoring 90/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.28 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Basil prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.59 g/kg), phosphorus (25.2 mg/kg) and potassium (239 mg/kg) all meet Basil's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Basil, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Basil is the #41 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nakuru County. At current prices (about KES 120/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Basil crop here can gross roughly KES 480,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nakuru soil | Basil needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.28 | 6–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.59 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.2 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 239 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 600–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,750 m | 0–2,100 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Nakuru
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Top dressing guide
Nakuru's nitrogen (1.59 g/kg) already meets Basil's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag