What grows in Makeoana
Berea, Lesotho
The 2026/27 season in Makeoana
| 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 835 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning 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 heat | Hotter than usual — about +1.6 °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, cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date |
| Ground this covers | 2 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 86% of this area. |
| 86% | enough rain for one full main crop; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 248 growing days · about 790 mm · September to May |
|---|---|
| 14% | enough rain for one full main crop; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 215 growing days · about 700 mm · October to May |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Makeoana
86% sub-humid, cool — 7 crops
-
LettuceModeratePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
6.5–7.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootModeratePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
9.0–9.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.4 t/ha
Steep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoModeratePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
9.3–11.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 28.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageModeratePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 44.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
KaleModeratePlant 13 Dec 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 31.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk -
GarlicModeratePlant 23 Dec 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 12.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Swiss chardModeratePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk
14% highland, sub-humid, mild winter — 33 crops
-
LablabFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 31 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
SorghumFavourablePlant 2 Oct 2026 – 11 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
2.1–2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 27 Sep 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 28 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 28 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
12.2–14.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 5 Dec 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 28 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.6–0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 3 Jan 2027 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
5.6–6.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 30 Apr 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 6 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 6 Jan 2027 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.5–3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 3 Jan 2027 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
11.9–14.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
CarrotFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 28.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceFavourablePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GarlicFavourablePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 12.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanModeratePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 28 Feb 2027
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Finger milletModeratePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 28 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
TomatoModeratePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 28 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioModeratePlant 11 Oct 2026 – 31 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
MaizeModeratePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 27 Sep 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
AmaranthModeratePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
OkraModeratePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 30 Apr 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionModerate
Plant 27 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
CabbageModeratePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 44.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet pepperModeratePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 31 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
ChilliModeratePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 31 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
EggplantModeratePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 21 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
about 7.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 31 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
KaleModeratePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 31.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope
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 Makeoana
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.
- African eggplant Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Bambara groundnut Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Groundnut Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Enset Moderate — Frost & pests
- Mandarin Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sugarcane Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sweet orange Moderate — Frost & pests
- Avocado Moderate — Frost & pests
- Lemon Moderate — Frost & pests
- Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
- Tea Moderate — Frost & pests
- Banana Unsuitable
- Cashew Unsuitable
- Cassava Unsuitable
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable
- Cotton Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cowpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Egusi melon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable
- Grapefruit Unsuitable
- Green gram Unsuitable — Temperature
- Guava Unsuitable
- Lime Unsuitable
- Mango Unsuitable
- Moringa Unsuitable
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Papaya Unsuitable
- Pearl millet Unsuitable — Temperature
- Pigeon pea Unsuitable
- Pineapple Unsuitable
- Rice Unsuitable — Temperature
- Roselle Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sesame Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Temperature
- Yam Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 41 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Makeoana, 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 firstThis 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
-
Durban Fresh Produce Market
284 km · Banana & plantain, Irish potato, Tomato, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
333 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
392 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Makeoana?
Irish potato, Beetroot, Lettuce, Garlic, Swiss chard all rate well in Makeoana — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Irish potato in Makeoana?
In Makeoana the window for Irish potato runs 27 Dec 2026 to 26 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Makeoana?
Divisi does. It reads Makeoana'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 Makeoana, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.