Growing Butternut Squash in Laikipia

Soil suitability analysis based on Laikipia's nutrient profile

Laikipia County is a solid choice for Butternut Squash, with a soil-match score of 68/100. At an average pH of 4.99 the soil is strongly acidic, below Butternut Squash's preferred 5.5–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.42 g/kg), phosphorus (16.6 mg/kg) and potassium (215 mg/kg) all meet Butternut Squash's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Butternut Squash, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 40/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Butternut Squash crop here can gross roughly KES 320,000 per acre.