Growing Courgette (Zucchini) in Murang'a

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

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Murang'a is moderately suited to Courgette (Zucchini). Murang'a's soil (pH 5.03, strongly acidic) gives Courgette (Zucchini) a suitability score of 67/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Murang'a County is a solid choice for Courgette (Zucchini), with a soil-match score of 67/100. At an average pH of 5.03 the soil is moderately acidic, below Courgette (Zucchini)'s preferred 5.8–7 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 high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Courgette (Zucchini) prefers loam soils, while Murang'a is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Courgette (Zucchini) is the #35 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Murang'a County. Courgette (Zucchini)'s full potential is about 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Murang'a's 67/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 10,050 kg/acre (~KES 502,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

67Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMurang'a soilCourgette (Zucchini) needsStatus
pH5.035.87Adjust
Nitrogen1.2 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.2 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium168 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,200 mm500–1,200 mmOK
Altitude1,500 m0–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar for Murang'a

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

March
Direct Sowing & Basal
April
Top Dressing & Pest Control
May
Fruiting & Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Direct Sowing & Basal
November
Top Dressing
December
Fruiting & Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and at flowering
Instruction
Add potassium at fruiting for continuous fruit set and quality.
Bags per acre in Murang'a
0.50.4

Murang'a's nitrogen (1.2 g/kg) already meets Courgette (Zucchini)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield in Murang'a10,050 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 502,500/acre
Adjusted for Murang'a's 67/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Courgette (Zucchini) can reach 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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