Shopping cart

Courgette farming

Courgette farming, commonly known as zucchini farming, is popular in Kenya due to the vegetable’s high nutritional value and good market demand. Here’s a quick guide to courgette farming in Kenya:

1. Climate & Soil Requirements

Climate: Courgettes grow best in warm to hot climates, thriving in temperatures between 18°C and 25°C. Soil: Well-drained, fertile loamy soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Adding organic matter improves soil fertility, while good drainage prevents root rot.

2. Planting

Spacing: Space plants about 60 cm apart in rows that are 90–100 cm apart.Sowing: Sow seeds directly in the field or start them in nurseries and transplant them after 2–3 weeks.Watering: Water regularly, especially during the dry season, to ensure soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.

3. Crop Management

Fertilization: Apply organic manure or compost before planting. Use nitrogen-rich fertilizer at planting and switch to potassium-rich fertilizer when plants begin flowering.

Pest and Disease Control: Common pests include aphids, caterpillars, and whiteflies. Diseases like powdery mildew and downy mildew can also affect courgettes, so monitoring and timely intervention are key.

4. Harvesting

Timeline: Courgettes mature 2–3 months after planting.

Yield: Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production, typically when the courgettes are about 15–20 cm long for best quality.

5. Market Potential

Local and Export Markets: With a growing demand for healthy foods, courgettes have a good local and export market in Kenya.

Profitability: Due to the short growth period and high market demand, courgettes can be highly profitable, especially when farmed on a small scale for niche or organic markets.