What grows in Mbangweni
Shiselweni, Eswatini
The 2026/27 season in Mbangweni
| 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 769 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 Mbangweni
-
MangoFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 28 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
16.3–17.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 24.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 28 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.8–0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
30.2–31.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 44.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 16 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
· about 2.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLimited rooting depthEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 20 Oct 2026 – 19 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.3–2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LemonFavourablePlant 20 Oct 2026 – 28 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
18.0–18.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 37.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
LimeFavourablePlant 20 Oct 2026 – 28 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 16.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 19 Oct 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LablabFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.5–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
AvocadoFavourablePlant 10 Nov 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 19.9 t/ha
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)Correctable with liming -
FonioFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GuavaFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 28 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 31.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 10 Nov 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 19 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 1.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 8 Dec 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 18 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 12.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 9 Dec 2026 – 18 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 8.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 9 Dec 2026 – 7 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 7 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 44.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 7 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 13.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 20 Dec 2026 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 29.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 30 Dec 2026 – 23 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 20.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 18 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 33.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 5.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 18 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 12.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 23 Jan 2027 – 16 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 33.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 20 Aug 2027 – 9 Sep 2027 opens in 46 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TeffFavourablePlant 12 Feb 2027 – 23 Feb 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 20 Oct 2026 – 9 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 29.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 20 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 2.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MandarinFavourablePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 28 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SesameFavourablePlant 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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 58.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 24.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PapayaFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 55.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionFavourable
Plant 8 Dec 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 37.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 28 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 16.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
EnsetFavourablePlant 21 Aug 2027 – 10 Sep 2027 opens in 46 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 22 Aug 2027 – 11 Sep 2027 opens in 47 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 29.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
LettuceFavourablePlant 5 Feb 2027 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 29.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChilliFavourablePlant 10 Oct 2026 – 29 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 20.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 31 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 1.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 30 Oct 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 41.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 30 Oct 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 33.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
KaleFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
CabbageModeratePlant 14 Feb 2027 – 23 Feb 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 58.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
GarlicModeratePlant 20 Aug 2027 – 30 Aug 2027 opens in 46 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 14.9 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 Mbangweni with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
MoringaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 33.3 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Frost risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.1 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime)
What Divisi would not plant in Mbangweni
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.
- Moringa Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pigeon pea Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Tea Moderate — Water
- Pineapple Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sugarcane Moderate
- Arabica coffee Moderate — Frost & pests
- Robusta coffee Moderate — Frost & pests
- Turmeric Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Rice Moderate
- Banana Moderate — Water
- Cashew Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cassava Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Temperature
- Coconut Unsuitable — Temperature
- Taro Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cotton Unsuitable — Temperature
- Egusi melon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Yam Unsuitable — Temperature
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 Mbangweni, 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 Mbangweni
- 31 August 2026 Passion Fruit — Planting window moved, now opens 15 Nov 2026
- 31 August 2026 Cashew — Planting window moved, now opens 31 Oct 2026
- 31 August 2026 Sunflower — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 31 August 2026 Chickpea — Limiting factor changed
- 31 August 2026 Beetroot — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Water
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
197 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Durban Fresh Produce Market
314 km · Banana & plantain, Irish potato, Tomato, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
323 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Mbangweni?
Mango, Niger seed, Watermelon, Pearl millet, Finger millet all rate well in Mbangweni — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Mango in Mbangweni?
In Mbangweni the window for Mango runs 9 Nov 2026 to 28 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Mbangweni?
Divisi does. It reads Mbangweni'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 Mbangweni, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.