Growing Courgette (Zucchini) in Bungoma

Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Bungoma is moderately suited to Courgette (Zucchini). Bungoma's soil (pH 5.56, slightly acidic) gives Courgette (Zucchini) a suitability score of 72/100. Match fertilizer to Bungoma's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Bungoma County is a solid choice for Courgette (Zucchini), with a soil-match score of 72/100. At an average pH of 5.56 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Courgette (Zucchini)'s preferred 5.8–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is nitrogen and potassium — measured at N 1.12 g/kg, P 15.7 mg/kg, K 161 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Courgette (Zucchini), which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Courgette (Zucchini) is the #51 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bungoma County. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Courgette (Zucchini) crop here can gross roughly KES 600,000 per acre.

72Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBungoma soilCourgette (Zucchini) needsStatus
pH5.565.87Adjust
Nitrogen1.12 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus15.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium161 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,400 mm500–1,200 mmHigh
Altitude1,500 m0–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar for Bungoma

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

March
Direct Sowing & Basal
April
Top Dressing & Pest Control
May
Fruiting & Harvest

Short Rains· AugustOctober

August
Direct Sowing & Basal
September
Top Dressing
October
Fruiting & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and at flowering
Instruction
Add potassium at fruiting for continuous fruit set and quality.
Bags per acre in Bungoma
0.50.4

Bungoma's nitrogen (1.12 g/kg) is 93% of the 1.2 g/kg Courgette (Zucchini) needs, so the standard 0.4 bags/acre is raised to 0.5. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield in Bungoma10,800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 540,000/acre
Adjusted for Bungoma's 72/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Courgette (Zucchini) can reach 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag