What grows in BOTETI
CENTRAL, Botswana
The 2026/27 season in BOTETI
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | December 2026 to March 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 392 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January, February and December look short of rain. Plant at the early end of the window, favour quicker and more drought-tolerant crops, and keep moisture in the soil: mulch, and weed early. |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +2.2 °C over the growing months. Heat makes the same rain do less, so a dry spell bites sooner: do not plant late, and shade or mulch what you can. |
| What that supports | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | 2 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 24% of this area. |
| 76% | too dry for rain-fed cropping without irrigation; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season no rain-fed season · about 330 mm |
|---|---|
| 24% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 89 growing days · about 380 mm · December to March |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in BOTETI
24% lowland, semi-arid, warm — 34 crops
-
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.7–2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.3–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 21 May 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 25 Dec 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
6.7–8.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.6–0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 1.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Green gramFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.8–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
13.5–16.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.0–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
SorghumFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
2.1–2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.6–0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.4–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.5–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.5–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 1.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 11.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 1 May 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 19.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 2.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OkraFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 7.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
CucumberFavourablePlant 20 Jan 2027 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 13.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
CottonFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 1.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
TomatoModeratePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 15.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
AmaranthModeratePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 7.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
CarrotModeratePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 12.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
MaizeModeratePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
RiceModeratePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionModerate
Plant 25 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 8.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
EggplantModeratePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 13.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
ChilliModeratePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 5.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
KaleModeratePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 8.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum
Rain-fed. These dates are worked out from each place's own rainfall, for a field watered by the season — with irrigation a window can open earlier, close later, or come round more than once a year. Check your own field under What grows, or get the Divisi app for a calendar dated to your farm.
What grows in BOTETI with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
PapayaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 64.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
GuavaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LimeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
MangoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CashewFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MoringaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 36.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 105.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 52.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BeetrootFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)Correctable with liming -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.2 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 41.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pigeon peaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
CassavaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 27.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Swiss chardFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 48.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.7 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.8 t/ha expected
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)Correctable with liming
What Divisi would not plant in BOTETI
Every crop in the catalogue is scored against this district, not only the ones that work — so the list above is a decision rather than a shortlist. These are the rest, with what ruled each one out.
- Pigeon pea Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Moringa Moderate — Water
- Papaya Moderate — Water
- Lettuce Moderate — Temperature
- Avocado Unsuitable — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Water
- Cashew Unsuitable — Water
- Cassava Unsuitable — Water
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Water
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Coconut Unsuitable — Water
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable — Water
- Garlic Unsuitable — Water
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
- Guava Unsuitable — Water
- Irish potato Unsuitable — Water
- Lemon Unsuitable — Water
- Lime Unsuitable — Water
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Mango Unsuitable — Water
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Water
- Pineapple Unsuitable — Water
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Water
- Swiss chard Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable — Water
- Teff Unsuitable — Water
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
- Wheat Unsuitable — Water
- Yam Unsuitable — Water
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 40 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across BOTETI, and the map colours which kind of ground each part of it is. Your own soil, slope and rainfall will shift the dates — the Divisi app works them out for your field, and dates each job that follows.
Or check your field firstThis calendar moves
Planting windows shift with the forecast. Leave your email and we'll send what changed, and a note when planting time nears — a couple of emails a month at most.
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in BOTETI?
Lablab, Pearl millet, Jute mallow, African eggplant, Bambara groundnut all rate well in BOTETI — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Lablab in BOTETI?
In BOTETI the window for Lablab runs 24 Nov 2026 to 14 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in BOTETI?
Divisi does. It reads BOTETI's own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average, so the planting dates and crop shortlist on this page are the same ones the app works out for a field here — then dates each job for that field, and keeps working with no signal.
Is this exact for my own field?
No — these are readings taken across BOTETI, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.