What grows in Nkilongo
Lubombo, Eswatini
The 2026/27 season in Nkilongo
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | October 2026 to April 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 578 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 one full main crop, warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth |
| Ground this covers | One kind of ground throughout. |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in Nkilongo
-
MangoFavourablePlant 10 Nov 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
15.4–17.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 17 Mar 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
8.4–9.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PineappleFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
42.1–43.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 57.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
SesameFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.8–0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 1.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.9–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 20 Nov 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CashewFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 8 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.9–1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.2–2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.5–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.0–2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 14.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 20 Dec 2026 – 8 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
24.3–29.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 31 Dec 2026 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 31 Jan 2027 – 12 Mar 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CassavaFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 1 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 28.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CottonFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 22 Sep 2026 – 12 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 16.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LemonFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LimeFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GuavaFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MoringaFavourablePlant 20 Nov 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
RiceFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 61.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 8.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 27 Dec 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChilliFavourablePlant 13 Oct 2026 – 22 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 1 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 18.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
Niger seedModeratePlant 24 Sep 2026 – 3 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 0.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceModeratePlant 25 Feb 2027 – 17 Mar 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet pepperModeratePlant 25 Sep 2026 – 5 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 6.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TurmericModeratePlant 13 Oct 2026 – 2 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
YamModeratePlant 13 Oct 2026 – 2 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk
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 Nkilongo with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
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 — manageable -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 54.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 102.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2027 – 9 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.5 t/ha expected
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 20 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
What Divisi would not plant in Nkilongo
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.
- Grapefruit Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Wheat Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Avocado Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Beetroot Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Sweet potato Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Taro Moderate — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable — Temperature
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable
- Enset Unsuitable — Temperature
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Tea Unsuitable — Water
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 20 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Nkilongo, 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
-
Mercado Grossista do Zimpeto
123 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Durban Fresh Produce Market
359 km · Banana & plantain, Irish potato, Tomato, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
393 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Nkilongo?
Mango, Jute mallow, Pineapple, Sesame, Groundnut all rate well in Nkilongo — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Mango in Nkilongo?
In Nkilongo the window for Mango runs 10 Nov 2026 to 19 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Nkilongo?
Divisi does. It reads Nkilongo'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 Nkilongo, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.