What grows in 'Maoa-Mafubelu
Leribe, Lesotho
The 2026/27 season in 'Maoa-Mafubelu
| 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 681 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, warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth |
| Ground this covers | 2 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 68% of this area. |
| 68% | 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 |
|---|---|
| 32% | enough rain for one full main crop; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 214 growing days · about 710 mm · October to May |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in 'Maoa-Mafubelu
68% highland, sub-humid, mild winter — 33 crops
-
LablabFavourablePlant 2 Oct 2026 – 12 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
1.1–1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
SorghumFavourablePlant 12 Oct 2026 – 1 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
2.1–2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 2.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
19.1–23.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 22.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
CarrotFavourablePlant 23 Dec 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 13 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 -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
5.5–6.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 9.5 t/ha
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
1.3–1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.1 t/ha
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
2.5–3.0 t/ha expected
· about 4.2 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 2 Jan 2027 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 25.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 2 Jan 2027 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 28.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 2 Jan 2027 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 25.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 12 Jan 2027 – 11 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 15.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 12 Jan 2027 – 11 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 9.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TeffFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
· about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
LettuceFavourablePlant 1 Feb 2027 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 22.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanModeratePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 20 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 2.5 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Finger milletModeratePlant 10 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 1.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
TomatoModeratePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 20 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 13.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 44.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioModeratePlant 11 Oct 2026 – 31 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraModeratePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 9.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MaizeModeratePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 6.3 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
AmaranthModeratePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 19.0 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 11.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 28.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
CabbageModeratePlant 31 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 44.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
ChilliModeratePlant 1 Oct 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 5.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 12.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
EggplantModeratePlant 2 Oct 2026 – 22 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
about 11.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 21.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet pepperModeratePlant 9 Oct 2026 – 29 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
about 9.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 25.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Swiss chardModeratePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 31.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
KaleModeratePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 31.7 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 3.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 11.4 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 grows in 'Maoa-Mafubelu with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
What Divisi would not plant in 'Maoa-Mafubelu
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.
- Bambara groundnut Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- African eggplant Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sweet potato 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
- 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 'Maoa-Mafubelu, 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
285 km · Banana & plantain, Irish potato, Tomato, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
306 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
365 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in 'Maoa-Mafubelu?
Lablab, Sorghum, Pumpkin, Tobacco, Watermelon all rate well in 'Maoa-Mafubelu — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Lablab in 'Maoa-Mafubelu?
In 'Maoa-Mafubelu the window for Lablab runs 2 Oct 2026 to 12 Oct 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in 'Maoa-Mafubelu?
Divisi does. It reads 'Maoa-Mafubelu'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 'Maoa-Mafubelu, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.