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What grows in Bale

Oromia, Ethiopia

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Map showing the boundary of Bale

The 2026 season in Bale

Rainy seasonsTwo each year — two chances to plant
When the rains are expectedMarch 2026 to June 2026
Rain in a typical yearAbout 611 mm
This season's rainLeaning wet — October and November look heavier than usual. Make sure water can drain off the field; a wet year does more damage through waterlogging and disease than through the rain itself.
This season's heatHotter than usual — about +0.9 °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 supportsenough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season
Ground this covers4 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 31% of this area.
31% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 147 growing days · about 620 mm · March to June
13% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 128 growing days · about 510 mm · March to June
12% enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 312 growing days · about 1,060 mm · February to December
7% enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 307 growing days · about 1,100 mm · February to December

last updated 16 September 2026

What grows in Bale

31% lowland, semi-arid, warm, two seasons — 49 crops

13% lowland, semi-arid, warm, one season — 46 crops

12% high montane, humid, warm — 26 crops

7% highland, humid, warm — 14 crops

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 Bale 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 Bale

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.

  • Guava 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
  • Mandarin Moderate
  • Banana Unsuitable — Water
  • Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
  • Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
  • Coconut Unsuitable
  • Taro Unsuitable — Water
  • Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
  • Ginger Unsuitable — Water
  • Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
  • Lime Unsuitable — Water
  • Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
  • Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
  • Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
  • Yam Unsuitable — Water

Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 16 came back without a sowing date.

Plan the season, not just check it

The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Bale, 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 first

What changed in Bale

  • 31 August 2026 Lettuce — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Temperature
  • 31 August 2026 Lettuce — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
  • 31 August 2026 Lettuce — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Mar 2027
  • 31 August 2026 Chickpea — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Temperature
  • 31 August 2026 Chickpea — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Mar 2027

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

Support and extension

Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Bale?

Irish potato, Lettuce, Kale, Swiss chard, Carrot all rate well in Bale — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Irish potato in Bale?

In Bale the window for Irish potato runs 8 Jul 2027 to 25 Aug 2027.

Is there a farming app that works in Bale?

Divisi does. It reads Bale'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 Bale, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.

Keep going

The district's answer is one question. What each crop needs, what attacks it and where to sell it are the others.

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