What grows in Likila
Butha-Buthe, Lesotho
The 2026/27 season in Likila
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | October 2026 to May 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 738 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 +1.8 °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 74% of this area. |
| 74% | enough rain for one full main crop; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 224 growing days · about 760 mm · October to May |
|---|---|
| 26% | enough rain for one full main crop; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 206 growing days · about 680 mm · October to May |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Likila
74% sub-humid, cool — 21 crops
-
PumpkinFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
12.3–15.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 12.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.6–0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.6–3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
CucumberFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
12.4–15.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 14.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
14.4–17.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
SorghumModeratePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.9–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 1.5 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
TobaccoModeratePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.0–1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
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 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
CarrotModeratePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
9.1–11.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 18.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionModerate
Plant 7 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.8–10.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 16.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoModeratePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 16.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeModeratePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 9.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantModeratePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 5.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceModeratePlant 6 Jan 2027 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 12.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageModeratePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.6 t/ha expected
· about 25.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GarlicModeratePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 6.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Swiss chardModeratePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 18.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleModeratePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 18.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope
26% highland, sub-humid, mild winter — 27 crops
-
PumpkinFavourablePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
10.1–12.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 12.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.5–0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
CucumberFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
10.1–12.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 14.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
LablabModeratePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
0.7–0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 27 Sep 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
SorghumModeratePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 5 Nov 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
1.4–1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 1.5 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
SoybeanModeratePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 26 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
0.9–1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Finger milletModeratePlant 6 Oct 2026 – 26 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
0.9–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoModeratePlant 26 Sep 2026 – 26 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
11.1–14.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 22.2 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
TobaccoModeratePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
MaizeModeratePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
AmaranthModeratePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 8.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
CarrotModeratePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 18.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
BeetrootModeratePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoModeratePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 16.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
OnionModerate
Plant 1 Jan 2027 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 16.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
African nightshadeModeratePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 9.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantModeratePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 5.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
LettuceModeratePlant 31 Jan 2027 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 12.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
CabbageModeratePlant 31 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.2 t/ha expected
· about 25.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
Sweet pepperModeratePlant 6 Oct 2026 – 26 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
about 7.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 12.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
Swiss chardModeratePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 18.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
KaleModeratePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 18.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
GarlicModeratePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 6.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum
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 Likila
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.
- Jute mallow Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Watermelon 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
- Okra Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Chilli 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
- African eggplant Unsuitable — Temperature
- Bambara groundnut Unsuitable — Temperature
- 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
- Eggplant Unsuitable — Temperature
- Egusi melon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Fonio 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; 47 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Likila, 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
275 km · Banana & plantain, Irish potato, Tomato, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
281 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
338 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Likila?
Pumpkin, Sunflower, Beetroot, Common bean, Cucumber all rate well in Likila — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Pumpkin in Likila?
In Likila the window for Pumpkin runs 27 Nov 2026 to 27 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Likila?
Divisi does. It reads Likila'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 Likila, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.