Growing Butternut Squash in Murang'a

Soil suitability analysis based on Murang'a's nutrient profile

Murang'a County is a solid choice for Butternut Squash, with a soil-match score of 66/100. At an average pH of 5.03 the soil is moderately acidic, below Butternut Squash's preferred 5.5–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.2 g/kg, P 12.2 mg/kg, K 168 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Butternut Squash prefers sandy loam soils, while Murang'a is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. 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.