This guide provides a complete roadmap on what to do immediately after planting and how to manage your coffee throughout the year for optimal yield, plant health, and bean quality.

☕ 1. Before You Plant (Preparation is Everything)

Successful coffee farming starts with proper land and soil preparation.

✔ Site & Soil Selection

• Choose deep, well-drained, fertile soils
• Ideal pH: 5.5 – 6.5 (slightly acidic)

✔ Hole Preparation

• Dig holes: 2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft
• Separate topsoil and subsoil

✔ Soil Enrichment

Mix topsoil with:

• 20–30 kg well-decomposed manure
• Phosphate fertilizer (DAP or TSP)

✔ Spacing Guidelines

• 2m x 2m → intensive farming
• 2.5m x 2.5m → recommended (better airflow & disease control)

✔ Planting Time

• Best done at onset of rains:
  • March–May
  • October–December

🌿 2. Immediate Care After Planting

The first few weeks are critical for survival and root establishment.

💧 Watering

• Water immediately after planting
• Continue 2–3 times per week if rainfall is inadequate

🌱 Mulching

• Apply dry grass or leaves around the base
• Benefits:
  • Moisture retention
  • Weed suppression
  • Soil temperature regulation

🌳 Shade Management

• Provide temporary shade using:
  • Banana leaves
  • Shade nets
• Prevents heat stress and transplant shock

🚫 Early Pest & Disease Prevention

• Apply preventive copper-based fungicides
• Monitor for:
  • Aphids
  • Leaf miners

🪴 Staking & Protection

• Use stakes to support against wind
• Protect from livestock and physical damage

🌾 3. First 3–6 Months (Establishment Phase)

During this phase, your goal is strong root and vegetative growth.

✔ Field Maintenance

• Weed every 2–3 weeks
• Maintain consistent mulch cover

✂️ Light Pruning

• Remove:
  • Dead shoots
  • Weak or diseased growth

🧪 Early Feeding

• Apply CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate) after 3 months
• Rate: ~50g per plant
• Apply in a ring around the plant (avoid stem contact)

🌳 4. Year-Round Coffee Management Calendar

🌦️ Rainy Season (March–May / Oct–Dec)

🌱 Fertilization

• Apply:
  • NPK (17:17:17 or 20:10:10) for growth
  • Organic manure for soil health

🌿 Weed Control

• Keep farm clean to reduce nutrient competition

🦠 Disease Control

• Prevent and manage:
  • Coffee Leaf Rust
  • Coffee Berry Disease (CBD)

☀️ Dry Season (Jan–Feb / June–Sept)

💧 Irrigation

• Critical for young plants—water regularly

🌿 Mulching (Highly Critical)

• Increase mulch thickness to conserve moisture

✂️ Pruning & Training

• Establish single stem system
• Remove:
  • Suckers
  • Unwanted shoots

🧪 5. Simplified Feeding Program

👉 Always apply fertilizer after rainfall or irrigation

🐛 6. Spraying & Pest Control

Common Pests:

• Coffee Berry Borer
• Aphids
• Leaf Miners

Common Diseases:

• Coffee Leaf Rust
• Coffee Berry Disease (CBD)

Spray Routine:

• Preventive spraying every 3–4 weeks during rainy season
• Use:
  • Copper-based fungicides
  • Approved insecticides (only when necessary)

⚠️ Rotate chemicals to prevent resistance build-up

🌟 7. Key Success Tips for SL Coffee

✔ Always use certified seedlings
✔ Prioritize soil health and organic matter
✔ Avoid over-fertilization—balance is key
✔ Consistent pruning improves yield and structure
✔ Early-stage care determines long-term productivity

🚀 Projection

Growing SL28 and SL34 coffee is more than farming—it is a long-term investment in quality, discipline, and precision.

With proper management, your farm can consistently produce:

• ☕ High yields
• ☕ Premium specialty-grade coffee
• ☕ Strong market value

Kenya Coffee School & Barista Mtaani remain committed to empowering farmers through training, innovation, and best agricultural practices—because great coffee begins at the farm. 🌱