Growing Courgette (Zucchini) in Homa Bay

Soil suitability analysis based on Homa Bay's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Homa Bay is moderately suited to Courgette (Zucchini). Homa Bay's soil (pH 5.27, strongly acidic) gives Courgette (Zucchini) a suitability score of 71/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Homa Bay County is a solid choice for Courgette (Zucchini), with a soil-match score of 71/100. At an average pH of 5.27 the soil is moderately acidic, 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 1.05 g/kg, P 13.8 mg/kg, K 147 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 #32 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Homa Bay County. Courgette (Zucchini)'s full potential is about 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Homa Bay's 71/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 10,650 kg/acre (~KES 532,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

71Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorHoma Bay soilCourgette (Zucchini) needsStatus
pH5.275.87Adjust
Nitrogen1.05 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgLow
Phosphorus13.8 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium147 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,100 mm500–1,200 mmOK
Altitude1,200 m0–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar for Homa Bay

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

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

Short Rains· SeptemberNovember

September
Direct Sowing & Basal
October
Top Dressing
November
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 Homa Bay
0.50.4

Homa Bay's nitrogen (1.05 g/kg) is 88% 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 Homa Bay10,650 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 532,500/acre
Adjusted for Homa Bay's 71/100 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