What grows in Mahlangatsha
Manzini, Eswatini
The 2026/27 season in Mahlangatsha
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | September 2026 to May 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 897 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 +1.4 °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 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 Mahlangatsha
-
MangoFavourablePlant 13 Oct 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
17.5–17.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 22.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourablePlant 21 Sep 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
LimeFavourablePlant 6 Oct 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 17.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
GuavaFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
AvocadoFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
9.3–10.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 18.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
EnsetFavourablePlant 24 Aug 2027 – 13 Sep 2027 opens in 47 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 22.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 21 Aug 2027 – 10 Sep 2027 opens in 46 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.5 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 -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 4 Oct 2026 – 13 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 30 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk -
MandarinFavourablePlant 31 Aug 2026 – 28 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 19.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 10 Dec 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 2 weeks
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 -
LablabFavourablePlant 11 Oct 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 11 Oct 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.6–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 10 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
FonioFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 29 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PapayaFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 52.5 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 8 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 22.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
SorghumFavourablePlant 21 Oct 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 8 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 22.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Green gramFavourablePlant 2 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
TomatoFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 44.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 19.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 1.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 19 Nov 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 23.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 4 Dec 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
MoringaFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 1 Mar 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 19.9 t/ha
Frost riskSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 14 Dec 2026 – 2 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.4 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 -
Common beanFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 25 Dec 2026 – 7 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.3 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 -
CucumberFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 25.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
OkraFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 10.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 24 Dec 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 9.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
OnionFavourable
Plant 3 Jan 2027 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 28.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
WheatFavourablePlant 29 Dec 2026 – 28 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 4.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 13 Jan 2027 – 18 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.9 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 -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 22 Aug 2027 – 11 Sep 2027 opens in 47 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 28 Aug 2027 – 6 Sep 2027 opens in 47 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 28.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourablePlant 22 Feb 2027 – 20 Mar 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 22.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourablePlant 24 Feb 2027 – 5 Mar 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChilliFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 15.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
EggplantFavourablePlant 30 Oct 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 31.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
RoselleFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.2 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 -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.3 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 -
KaleFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 31.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
SesameModeratePlant 29 Sep 2026 – 8 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep 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 Mahlangatsha with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 44.2 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
TeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.3 t/ha expected
Frost riskSteep slope -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 44.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
GingerModerate Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.8 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope
What Divisi would not plant in Mahlangatsha
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.
- Egusi melon Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pineapple Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Cashew Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Cassava Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Cotton Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Tea 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
- Cabbage Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Garlic Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Turmeric Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Yam Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Arabica coffee Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Banana Moderate — Water
- Taro Moderate — Water
- Robusta coffee Moderate — Frost & pests
- Ginger Moderate
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Temperature
- Coconut Unsuitable — Temperature
- Oil palm Unsuitable
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 21 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Mahlangatsha, 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 firstWhat changed in Mahlangatsha
- 2 September 2026 Avocado — Crop became recommendable
- 2 September 2026 Passion Fruit — Crop became recommendable
This 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
169 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
318 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
323 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Mahlangatsha?
Mango, Lemon, Lime, Guava, Avocado all rate well in Mahlangatsha — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Mango in Mahlangatsha?
In Mahlangatsha the window for Mango runs 13 Oct 2026 to 21 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Mahlangatsha?
Divisi does. It reads Mahlangatsha'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 Mahlangatsha, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.