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What grows in Lesotho

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Map showing the boundary of Lesotho

The 2026/27 season in Lesotho

Rainy seasonsOne each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it
When the rains are expectedNovember 2026 to May 2027
Rain in a typical yearAbout 628 mm in a typical farming district
Across its districtsFrom about 572 mm in the driest of 78 districts to about 926 mm in the wettest
This season's rainLeaning dry — January, February, 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 heatHotter than usual — about +2.0 °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 supportsenough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it, warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth
Ground this covers5 kinds of ground. The season below is one typical farming district's, not a figure for the whole of this area.
58% enough rain for one full main crop; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 235 growing days · about 740 mm · September to May
19% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 157 growing days · about 620 mm · November to May
9% enough rain for one full main crop; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 202 growing days · about 670 mm · October to May
6% enough rain for one full main crop; cold for much of the year, with a short planting season 232 growing days · about 890 mm · September to April
4% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 152 growing days · about 590 mm · November to May

last updated 17 September 2026 · from all 78 areas within it

Lesotho's regions

What grows here

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.

Plan the season, not just check it

The crops above are gathered from every district in Lesotho, and the ground under them is not all the same. 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

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.

Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Lesotho?

Niger seed, Sunflower, Jute mallow, Wheat, Teff all rate well in Lesotho — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Niger seed in Lesotho?

In Lesotho the window for Niger seed runs 27 Dec 2026 to 26 Jan 2027.

Is there a farming app that works in Lesotho?

Divisi does. It reads Lesotho'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 Lesotho, 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

A district's answer is one question. What to grow, what attacks it and where to sell it are the others.

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