Growing Pumpkin in Mombasa

Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile

Mombasa County is well suited to Pumpkin, scoring 82/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-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 0.95 g/kg, P 8.4 mg/kg, K 136 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Pumpkin, which favours sandy loam. 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.

82Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMombasa soilPumpkin needsStatus
pH6.245.87.5OK
Nitrogen0.95 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus8.4 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium136 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,000 mm500–1,200 mmOK
Altitude50 m0–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar

Long Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Vine Management & Top Dressing
Month 3
Fruit Development & Harvest

Short Rains

Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Vine Management
Month 3
Fruit Development & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 4 and at vine-run
Instruction
Top-dress when vines begin to run. Add potassium at fruit set.
Bags per Acre
0.4

Economics

Market priceKES 30/kg
Expected yield 10,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 300,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
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