.Garlic farming in Kenya, locally known as “Kitunguu Saumu,” is booming due to its culinary and medicinal value, with Onion Doctor leading the charge in supporting farmers. The high market prices, often reaching KSh 150–400 per kilogram, make garlic farming in Kenya an attractive venture, but weeds can derail even the best efforts. These unwanted plants choke young garlic, reduce bulb size, and lower profits, posing a major threat to garlic farming in Kenya. Onion Doctor recognizes that effective weed management is critical for success in garlic farming in Kenya. By partnering with Onion Doctor, farmers gain access to expert advice and innovative techniques to control weeds and boost yields. This blog, crafted by Onion Doctor, equips you with the knowledge to conquer weeds and make garlic farming in Kenya a thriving, sustainable business.
GARLIC WEEDS
1. NUT GRASS
It is a persistent, perennial and invasive weed that poses significant challenges in Garlic cultivation, particularly in regions like Kenya. Its rapid underground spread through tubers makes it difficult to control once established.
2. COUCH GRASS
Couch grass competes aggressively with garlic for water, nutrients, and light, reducing bulb size and yield. Its rhizomes spread underground rapidly, making it hard to remove completely. Even small fragments can regenerate. It may release chemicals into the soil that inhibit garlic root growth, stressing young plants.
3. BLACK JACK
Blackjack (Bidens pilosa) is a fast-growing annual weed that competes with garlic for nutrients, light, and moisture, reducing yields. It spreads rapidly through sticky seeds and may suppress garlic growth through allelopathy.
4. PIG WEED
Pigweed (Amaranthus spp.) is a fast-growing weed that outcompetes garlic for nutrients, water, and light, reducing yields. It produces thousands of seeds and spreads quickly if not managed early.
IMPACT OF WEEDS IN GARLIC FARMING IN KENYA
- Nutrient Competition: Weeds absorb vital nutrients like nitrogen and potassium, stunting garlic growth.
- Water Stress: Garlic needs consistent moisture for bulb formation, but weeds deplete soil water.
- Light Blockage: Dense weeds shade garlic, reducing photosynthesis and bulb size.
- Pest and Disease Havens: Weeds attract pests like thrips and host diseases such as white rot.
- Lower Market Value: Smaller, poor-quality bulbs due to weeds fetch lower prices, impacting profits.
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES OF WEEDS IN GARLIC FARMING
- Pre-plant Land Preparation:
- Deep ploughing and repeated harrowing destroy weed seeds and roots before planting.
- Use stale seedbed technique: irrigate before planting to encourage weed germination, then eliminate them.
- Mulching
- Apply organic mulch (like straw, dry grass, or black plastic) to suppress weed emergence.
- Mulch also retains moisture and improves bulb development.
- Timely Manual or Mechanical Weeding
- Conduct 2–3 hand weedings or hoeings during the early growth stage of garlic (especially within the first 45 days).
- Use inter-row cultivation to reduce labor costs.
- Crop Rotation:
- Rotate garlic with non-host crops like legumes or cereals to break weed cycles and reduce buildup of specific weed species.
- Proper Plant Spacing:
- Narrower spacing shades the ground, reducing the space and light available for weeds to grow.
- Herbicide Application (Use with Care)
- Apply pre-emergent herbicides like Pendimethalin after planting but before garlic emerges.
- Use post-emergent herbicides only if compatible with garlic (consult extension services or agronomists for local approval).
| WEEK | PESTICIDE | FUNGICIDE | FOLIAR | FERTILIZER |
| Land Preparation | Decomposed Manure | |||
| 1 | Active Ingredient | Active Ingredient | First Top dressing | |
| 2 | Mancozeb | |||
| 3 | Profenofos | |||
| 4 | Acephale | Carbendazim |
For an Affordable fee of Kes 5000 or $38.66 Onion Doctor can offer you a full spray and feeding program for more info Message Onion Doctor Ltd on WhatsApp. https://wa.me/254706252490
- Field Sanitation and Border Management
- Remove weeds around the garlic plot and on borders to prevent seed spread.
- Avoid using weedy compost or manure.
Contact us for: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Germinated garlic cloves, Farm planning services, Soil testing, training on onion and garlic growing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. You can also check out our social media handles for daily updates on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oniondoctorke?_t=ZM-8wmsTu0qumO&_r=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oniondoctorke?igsh=MTVoaHF3aWUydTJzaQ==Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/share/16SwgYn2dG/ Youtube:https://youtube.com/@oniondoctorke?si=u5Jnd-r0qU9UDYqL and Twitter: https://x.com/OnionDoctorKe?t=FR3JXlS_oN1vjjUgAtfyzg&s=09