Growing Butternut Squash in Bomet
Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile
Yes — Bomet is well suited to Butternut Squash. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Butternut Squash a suitability score of 78/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bomet County is well suited to Butternut Squash, scoring 78/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Butternut Squash prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Butternut Squash's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Butternut Squash prefers sandy loam soils, while Bomet is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Butternut Squash is the #50 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bomet County. At current prices (about KES 40/kg) and a typical 10,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Butternut Squash crop here can gross roughly KES 400,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bomet soil | Butternut Squash needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.02 | 5.5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.38 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 23.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 237 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,500 mm | 500–1,200 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Bomet
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· February–April
Top dressing guide
Bomet's nitrogen (1.38 g/kg) already meets Butternut Squash's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Bomet
Varieties suited to Bomet's 1,900 m altitude and 1,500 mm annual rainfall — 3 of 3 butternut squash varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag