Growing Cucumber in Trans Nzoia
Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile
Trans Nzoia County is well suited to Cucumber, scoring 89/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.93 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–7 band Cucumber prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Cucumber's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Cucumber, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 40/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Cucumber crop here can gross roughly KES 480,000 per acre.
Suitability score
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Trans Nzoia soil | Cucumber needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.93 | 5.8–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.68 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 27.3 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 213 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,200 mm | 500–1,200 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,900 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Trellising & Top Dressing & Pest Control
Month 3
Fruit Development & Harvest
Short Rains
Month 1
Direct Sowing & Basal
Month 2
Trellising & Top Dressing
Month 3
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
0.4
Economics
Market priceKES 40/kg
Expected yield 12,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 480,000/acre
Preferred textureLoam
Fertilizer prices
DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
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