Growing Courgette (Zucchini) in Siaya

Soil suitability analysis based on Siaya's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Siaya is moderately suited to Courgette (Zucchini). Siaya's soil (pH 5.33, strongly acidic) gives Courgette (Zucchini) a suitability score of 72/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Siaya County is a solid choice for Courgette (Zucchini), with a soil-match score of 72/100. At an average pH of 5.33 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 12.1 mg/kg, K 134 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Courgette (Zucchini), which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Courgette (Zucchini) is the #30 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Siaya County. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Courgette (Zucchini) crop here can gross roughly KES 600,000 per acre.

72Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorSiaya soilCourgette (Zucchini) needsStatus
pH5.335.87Adjust
Nitrogen1.2 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.1 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium134 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,200 mm500–1,200 mmOK
Altitude1,200 m0–2,100 mOK

Planting calendar for Siaya

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

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

Short Rains· SeptemberNovember

September
Direct Sowing & Basal
October
Top Dressing
November
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 Siaya
0.50.4

Siaya'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 Siaya10,800 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 540,000/acre
Adjusted for Siaya's 72/100 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