Growing Butternut Squash in Baringo
Soil suitability analysis based on Baringo's nutrient profile
Baringo County is well suited to Butternut Squash, scoring 92/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.22 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Butternut Squash prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.32 g/kg), phosphorus (23.4 mg/kg) and potassium (212 mg/kg) all meet Butternut Squash's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Butternut Squash, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 40/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Butternut Squash crop here can gross roughly KES 320,000 per acre.
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Baringo soil | Butternut Squash needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.22 | 5.5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.32 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.4 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 212 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag