Growing Pumpkin in Kwale
Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile
Yes — Kwale is well suited to Pumpkin. Kwale's soil (pH 6.76, near-neutral) gives Pumpkin a suitability score of 87/100. Match fertilizer to Kwale's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kwale County is well suited to Pumpkin, scoring 87/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 5.8–7.5 band Pumpkin prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.93 g/kg, P 9.8 mg/kg, K 131 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Pumpkin, which favours sandy loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Pumpkin is the #12 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kwale County. At current prices (about KES 30/kg) and a typical 10,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pumpkin crop here can gross roughly KES 300,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kwale soil | Pumpkin needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.76 | 5.8–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.93 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 9.8 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | Low |
| Potassium | 131 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 500–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–2,100 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kwale
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Top dressing guide
Kwale's nitrogen (0.93 g/kg) already meets Pumpkin's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag