Growing Cucumber in Nyandarua

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyandarua's nutrient profile

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. 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.