What grows in Mbabane East
Hhohho, Eswatini
The 2026/27 season in Mbabane East
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | September 2026 to June 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 1,252 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January, February, October, November 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 +1.5 °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 a long crop, or two in a year, warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth |
| Ground this covers | 4 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 29% of this area. |
| 29% | enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 273 growing days · about 1,190 mm · September to June |
|---|---|
| 29% | enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 275 growing days · about 1,240 mm · September to June |
| 29% | enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 275 growing days · about 1,180 mm · September to June |
| 14% | enough rain for one full main crop; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 269 growing days · about 1,160 mm · September to June |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in Mbabane East
29% humid, mild winter — 45 crops
-
GuavaFavourablePlant 24 Aug 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
LemonFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)Correctable with liming -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2026 – 21 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
21.2–21.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
AvocadoFavourablePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2025 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 18.5 t/ha
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)Correctable with liming -
MangoFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 19.3 t/ha
Soil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
SorghumFavourablePlant 25 Aug 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 24 Aug 2026 – 10 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TeffFavourablePlant 9 Sep 2026 – 23 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 2 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 7 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
LablabFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2026 – 10 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 17 Sep 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 25 Aug 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
TomatoFavourablePlant 17 Sep 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 44.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 7 Sep 2026 – 23 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 22.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
MaizeFavourablePlant 17 Sep 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 6.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 17 Sep 2026 – 16 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
CarrotFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 23 Sep 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.9 t/ha expected
· about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Common beanFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 10 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
FonioFavourablePlant 23 Sep 2026 – 18 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 28.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 28.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 11 Oct 2026 – 10 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CucumberFavourablePlant 29 Sep 2026 – 20 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 25.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 23 Sep 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 19.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 10 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 15.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 29 Sep 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 9.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 11 Oct 2026 – 10 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 9.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
OkraFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
EnsetFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2027 – 1 Sep 2027 opens in 45 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
LettuceFavourablePlant 4 Feb 2027 – 8 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 22.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2025 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 25.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
ChilliFavourablePlant 1 Sep 2026 – 30 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.5 t/ha expected
· about 15.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
WheatFavourablePlant 8 Feb 2027 – 4 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 4.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
KaleFavourablePlant 25 Sep 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 31.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 25 Sep 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 31.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
GarlicFavourablePlant 30 Dec 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 11.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 25 Aug 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
MandarinFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 17.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PapayaFavourablePlant 17 Sep 2026 – 8 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 38.2 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 20 Sep 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.6 t/ha expected
· about 20.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
EggplantFavourablePlant 3 Sep 2026 – 30 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.9 t/ha expected
· about 28.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CabbageFavourablePlant 25 Aug 2027 – 7 Sep 2027 opens in 47 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 44.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2027 – 1 Sep 2027 opens in 45 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 18.5 t/ha
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)Correctable with liming -
GroundnutModeratePlant 24 Aug 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
29% lowland, humid, mild winter — 45 crops
-
GuavaFavourablePlant 24 Aug 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
LemonFavourablePlant 24 Aug 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Soil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2026 – 21 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
20.3–20.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
AvocadoFavourablePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2025 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 18.5 t/ha
Soil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
MangoFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 19.3 t/ha
Steep slope -
EnsetFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2027 – 1 Sep 2027 opens in 45 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
SorghumFavourablePlant 25 Aug 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 24 Aug 2026 – 10 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
TeffFavourablePlant 9 Sep 2026 – 23 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 2 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 7 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
LablabFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2026 – 10 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 17 Sep 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 25 Aug 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 17 Sep 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 44.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 7 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 22.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
MaizeFavourablePlant 17 Sep 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 6.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 17 Sep 2026 – 16 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 25 Aug 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
MandarinFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2026 – 4 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 17.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
PapayaFavourablePlant 17 Sep 2026 – 8 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 38.2 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CarrotFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 23 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 23 Sep 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.3 t/ha expected
· about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Common beanFavourablePlant 7 Oct 2026 – 10 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 23 Sep 2026 – 18 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 3 Oct 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 28.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 3 Oct 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 28.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 11 Oct 2026 – 10 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
CucumberFavourablePlant 29 Sep 2026 – 20 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 25.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 23 Sep 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 19.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 29 Sep 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 9.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 11 Oct 2026 – 10 Mar 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 9.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
OkraFavourablePlant 15 Oct 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 20 Sep 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.4 t/ha expected
· about 20.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 21 Oct 2026 – 10 Mar 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 15.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
LettuceFavourablePlant 4 Feb 2027 – 8 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 22.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 14 Sep 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2025 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 25.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
ChilliFavourablePlant 1 Sep 2026 – 30 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.0 t/ha expected
· about 15.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
WheatFavourablePlant 8 Feb 2027 – 4 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 4.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
EggplantFavourablePlant 3 Sep 2026 – 30 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.9 t/ha expected
· about 28.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 12 Aug 2027 – 1 Sep 2027 opens in 45 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 18.5 t/ha
Soil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
CabbageFavourablePlant 25 Aug 2027 – 7 Sep 2027 opens in 47 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 44.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
KaleFavourablePlant 25 Sep 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 31.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 25 Sep 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 31.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
GarlicFavourablePlant 30 Dec 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 11.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
GroundnutModeratePlant 24 Aug 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
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 Mbabane East with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
What Divisi would not plant in Mbabane 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.
- Banana Moderate — Frost & pests
- Lime Moderate — Temperature
- Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
- Tea Moderate — Frost & pests
- Arabica coffee Moderate — Frost & pests
- Robusta coffee Moderate — Frost & pests
- Pineapple Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sugarcane Moderate
- Cashew Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cassava Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Temperature
- Coconut Unsuitable — Temperature
- Taro Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cotton Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cowpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Egusi melon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Temperature
- Green gram Unsuitable — Temperature
- Moringa Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Temperature
- Pearl millet Unsuitable — Temperature
- Pigeon pea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Rice Unsuitable — Temperature
- Roselle Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sesame Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Temperature
- Yam Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 29 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Mbabane 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
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Mercado Grossista do Zimpeto
152 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
299 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
305 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Mbabane East?
Guava, Lemon, Sweet orange, Avocado, Bambara groundnut all rate well in Mbabane East — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Guava in Mbabane East?
In Mbabane East the window for Guava runs 24 Aug 2026 to 4 Mar 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Mbabane East?
Divisi does. It reads Mbabane 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 Mbabane 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.