What grows in Ruaraka
Nairobi, Kenya
The 2026 season in Ruaraka
| Rainy seasons | Two each year — two chances to plant |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | February 2026 to June 2026 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 679 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning wet — January, 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 heat | Hotter than usual — about +1.0 °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 all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | 3 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 50% of this area. |
| 50% | enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 189 growing days · about 710 mm · February to June |
|---|---|
| 25% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 179 growing days · about 660 mm · February to June |
| 25% | enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 230 growing days · about 830 mm · February to June |
last updated 30 September 2026
What grows in Ruaraka
50% highland, sub-humid, warm — 56 crops
-
Niger seedFavourablePlant 15 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.9–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 1 Mar 2027 – 3 Apr 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
28.7–32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 15 Mar 2027 – 8 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
24.2–27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CucumberFavourablePlant 16 Mar 2027 – 11 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
21.2–23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 15 Mar 2027 – 8 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
15.4–18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 3 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
13.9–16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 1 Mar 2027 – 12 Apr 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.8–9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 15 Mar 2027 – 8 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.9–9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Common beanFavourablePlant 12 Mar 2027 – 3 Apr 2027 opens in 23 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.9–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 1 Mar 2027 – 23 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
19.5–23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 15 Feb 2027 – 17 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.0–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 5 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
15.0–16.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 1 Mar 2027 – 23 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OkraFavourablePlant 18 Feb 2027 – 29 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 7 Feb 2027 – 1 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LettuceFavourablePlant 16 Mar 2027 – 24 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OnionFavourable
Plant 1 Mar 2027 – 23 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 25 Feb 2027 – 17 Mar 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LablabFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 25 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CottonFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 31 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CassavaFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 18 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
ChilliFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
PapayaFavourablePlant 5 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 38.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 1 Mar 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
FonioFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 7 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Green gramFavourablePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 17 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 — manageable -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 27 Jan 2027 – 12 Mar 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 6 Jan 2027 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 6 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
KaleFavourablePlant 6 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
EggplantFavourablePlant 6 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WheatFavourablePlant 25 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 21 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 5 Feb 2027 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RoselleFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 1.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 18 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RiceFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 7.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 18 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
PineappleFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 18 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this cropSoil pH outside the crop's range -
LimeFavourablePlant 5 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GuavaFavourablePlant 5 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourablePlant 15 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 5 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 24.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourablePlant 5 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GarlicFavourablePlant 4 Mar 2027 – 13 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 16.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SesameModeratePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
GroundnutModeratePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
YamModeratePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 18 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season
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 Ruaraka 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 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 55.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
EnsetFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
-
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 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 2.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 48.6 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 49.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable
What Divisi would not plant in Ruaraka
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.
- Avocado Moderate — Water
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Turmeric Moderate — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cashew Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Egusi melon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable — Water
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Tea Unsuitable — Water
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 18 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Ruaraka, 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 Ruaraka
- 2 September 2026 Lettuce — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Lettuce — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Passion Fruit — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Avocado — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Water
- 2 September 2026 Beetroot — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
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
-
Gikomba Market
6 km · Tomato, Rape / covo / kale, Onion, Irish potato
-
Wakulima Market
7 km · Tomato, Irish potato, Cabbage, Onion
-
Karatina Market
89 km · Irish potato, Cabbage, Tomato, Maize
Support and extension
- Agricultural Finance Corporation Credit
- National Fertilizer Subsidy Programme
- Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
- Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Ruaraka?
African nightshade, Beetroot, Carrot, Common bean, Cowpea all rate well in Ruaraka — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African nightshade in Ruaraka?
In Ruaraka the window for African nightshade runs 12 Mar 2027 to 3 Apr 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Ruaraka?
Divisi does. It reads Ruaraka'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 Ruaraka, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.