Growing Courgette (Zucchini) in Kilifi
Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile
Yes — Kilifi is well suited to Courgette (Zucchini). Kilifi's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Courgette (Zucchini) a suitability score of 80/100. Match fertilizer to Kilifi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kilifi County is well suited to Courgette (Zucchini), scoring 80/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–7 band Courgette (Zucchini) prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.8 g/kg, P 11 mg/kg, K 109 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Courgette (Zucchini), which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Courgette (Zucchini) is the #34 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kilifi 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.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kilifi soil | Courgette (Zucchini) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.24 | 5.8–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.8 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 11 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 109 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 700 mm | 500–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 150 m | 0–2,100 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kilifi
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Top dressing guide
Kilifi's nitrogen (0.8 g/kg) is 67% 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
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag