Growing Cucumber in Nyandarua

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyandarua's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Nyandarua is moderately suited to Cucumber. Nyandarua's soil (pH 5.38, strongly acidic) gives Cucumber a suitability score of 57/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Cucumber can be grown in Nyandarua County, but the soil scores 57/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 5.38 the soil is moderately acidic, below Cucumber'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 1.28 g/kg, P 14 mg/kg, K 166 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Cucumber prefers loam soils, while Nyandarua is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Cucumber is the #54 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Nyandarua County. Cucumber's full potential is about 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 480,000/acre at KES 40/kg), but at Nyandarua's 57/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 8,550 kg/acre (~KES 342,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Nyandarua's soil: Tea, Pyrethrum, and Potato — each scores higher on the same soil.

57Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNyandarua soilCucumber needsStatus
pH5.385.87Adjust
Nitrogen1.28 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus14 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium166 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,100 mm500–1,200 mmOK
Altitude2,300 m0–2,000 mHigh

Planting calendar for Nyandarua

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

March
Direct Sowing & Basal
April
Trellising & Top Dressing & Pest Control
May
Fruit Development & Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

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

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 3 and 5 then at flowering
Instruction
Add foliar potassium at fruiting for fruit size and quality.
Bags per acre in Nyandarua
0.50.4

Nyandarua's nitrogen (1.28 g/kg) already meets Cucumber's 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield in Nyandarua8,550 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 342,000/acre
Adjusted for Nyandarua's 57/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Cucumber can reach 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 480,000/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