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What grows in Southern

Sidama, Ethiopia

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Map showing the boundary of Southern

The 2026 season in Southern

When the rains are expectedFebruary 2026 to December 2026
Rain in a typical yearAbout 1,455 mm
This season's rainLeaning wet — February, October, November and December 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 +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 supportsenough rain for a long crop, or two in a year, 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 45% of this area.
45% enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 319 growing days · about 1,500 mm · February to December
41% enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 316 growing days · about 1,360 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 292 growing days · about 1,080 mm · February to December
4% enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 270 growing days · about 910 mm · March to December

last updated 16 September 2026

What grows in Southern

45% high montane, humid, warm — 10 crops

41% highland, humid, warm, rain year-round — 40 crops

7% highland, humid, warm, one season — 66 crops

4% lowland, humid, warm — 65 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 Divisi would not plant in Southern

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.

  • Chickpea Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Sugarcane Moderate
  • Coconut Unsuitable — Temperature

Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 3 came back without a sowing date.

Plan the season, not just check it

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

  • 2 September 2026 Wheat — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
  • 2 September 2026 Wheat — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
  • 2 September 2026 Wheat — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Feb 2027
  • 2 September 2026 Chickpea — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Temperature
  • 2 September 2026 Chickpea — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable

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

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Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Southern?

Beetroot, Tea, Wheat, Irish potato, Lettuce all rate well in Southern — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Beetroot in Southern?

In Southern the window for Beetroot runs 10 Feb 2026 to 18 Sep 2026.

Is there a farming app that works in Southern?

Divisi does. It reads Southern'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 Southern, 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.

Crop guides Pest guides Disease guides Where to sell it Farming glossary Farming insights Read the Hive Feed How the advice is made