Growing Cucumber in Kisumu
Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile
Yes — Kisumu is well suited to Cucumber. Kisumu's soil (pH 5.54, slightly acidic) gives Cucumber a suitability score of 76/100. Match fertilizer to Kisumu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kisumu County is well suited to Cucumber, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 5.54 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Cucumber'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 0.91 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Cucumber prefers loam soils, while Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cucumber is the #30 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kisumu County. At current prices (about KES 40/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cucumber crop here can gross roughly KES 480,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kisumu soil | Cucumber needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.54 | 5.8–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.91 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | Low |
| Phosphorus | 12.5 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 166 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 500–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,150 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kisumu
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· September–November
Top dressing guide
Kisumu's nitrogen (0.91 g/kg) is 76% of the 1.2 g/kg Cucumber 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