What grows in KWENENG EAST
KWENENG, Botswana
The 2026/27 season in KWENENG EAST
| 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 425 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 +2.4 °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, with a cool spell that slows winter growth |
| Ground this covers | 3 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 10% of this area. |
| 81% | too dry for rain-fed cropping without irrigation; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth no rain-fed season · about 400 mm |
|---|---|
| 10% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 81 growing days · about 430 mm · December to March |
| 8% | too dry for rain-fed cropping without irrigation; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season no rain-fed season · about 380 mm |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in KWENENG EAST
10% lowland, semi-arid, mild winter — 35 crops
-
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.5–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.2–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 8 Dec 2026 – 16 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
6.1–7.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 8 Dec 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.5–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.7–0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.8–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
2.1–2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.5–1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
12.9–15.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.5–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.3–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.9–1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 1.5 t/ha
Frost riskNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 20.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 16 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 7.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RoselleFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Nov 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
CarrotModeratePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 13.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoModeratePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 15.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthModeratePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 7.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeModeratePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Spider plantModeratePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionModerate
Plant 18 Dec 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 9.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceModeratePlant 17 Jan 2027 – 16 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 6.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
EggplantModeratePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 13.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliModeratePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 5.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleModeratePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardModeratePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 11.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperModeratePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 6.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 37.1 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 KWENENG EAST with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
GuavaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
-
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 29 Aug 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 closed for this season
based on the rains it usually gets
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
-
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.2 t/ha expected
-
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2027 – 9 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 64.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 41.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
CottonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 2 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RiceFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.9 t/ha expected
Frost risk -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.8 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageable -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.7 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk
What Divisi would not plant in KWENENG EAST
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.
- Cotton Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Rice Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Moringa Moderate — Frost & pests
- Papaya Moderate — Frost & pests
- Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
- 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
- Pigeon pea Unsuitable — Water
- Pineapple Unsuitable — Water
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet potato 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; 39 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across KWENENG EAST, 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.
Where to sell it nearby
-
Letsema Horticulture Market
92 km · Tomato, Cabbage, Onion, Carrot
-
Tshwane Market
315 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
348 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in KWENENG EAST?
Lablab, Pearl millet, Jute mallow, Sunflower, African eggplant all rate well in KWENENG EAST — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Lablab in KWENENG EAST?
In KWENENG EAST the window for Lablab runs 18 Nov 2026 to 18 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in KWENENG EAST?
Divisi does. It reads KWENENG EAST'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 KWENENG EAST, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.