Growing Courgette (Zucchini) in Garissa

Soil suitability analysis based on Garissa's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Garissa is poorly suited to Courgette (Zucchini). Garissa's soil (pH 7.96, alkaline) gives Courgette (Zucchini) a suitability score of 14/100. Match fertilizer to Garissa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Garissa County is a challenging environment for Courgette (Zucchini) (soil-match score 14/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.96 the soil sits above Courgette (Zucchini)'s preferred 5.8–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.61 g/kg, P 37.7 mg/kg, K 407 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Courgette (Zucchini) prefers loam soils, while Garissa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Garissa receives approximately 250 mm/year — well below Courgette (Zucchini)'s minimum of 500 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Courgette (Zucchini) is the #32 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Garissa County. Courgette (Zucchini)'s full potential is about 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Garissa's 14/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 2,100 kg/acre (~KES 105,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Garissa's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.

14Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorGarissa soilCourgette (Zucchini) needsStatus
pH7.965.87Adjust
Nitrogen0.61 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus37.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium407 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall250 mm500–1,200 mmLow
Altitude200 m0–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar for Garissa

Long Rains· MarchMay

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

Short Rains· OctoberDecemberMain season here

October
Direct Sowing & Basal
November
Top Dressing
December
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 Garissa
0.50.4

Garissa's nitrogen (0.61 g/kg) is 51% 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 Garissa2,100 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 105,000/acre
Adjusted for Garissa's 14/100 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