What grows in Lehlakaneng
Mafeteng, Lesotho
The 2026/27 season in Lehlakaneng
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | November 2026 to May 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 678 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 short crop, and only if timed to it, warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth |
| Ground this covers | 3 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 57% of this area. |
| 57% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 160 growing days · about 660 mm · November to May |
|---|---|
| 30% | enough rain for one full main crop; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 240 growing days · about 720 mm · October to June |
| 9% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 165 growing days · about 680 mm · November to May |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Lehlakaneng
57% highland, semi-arid, mild winter — 30 crops
-
SunflowerFavourablePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.9–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 3.1 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
26.4–32.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 44.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
16.8–20.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 31.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 8 Jan 2027 – 28 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.8–8.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 13.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 8 Jan 2027 – 28 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.8–0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
3.5–4.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 6.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CucumberFavourablePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
16.7–20.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 35.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourablePlant 31 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.3–2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 30 Jan 2027 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
19.2–24.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 35.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
11.3–14.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 22.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 4.4 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 3.1 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 2.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 17.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 62.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 3.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 8.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 9.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 26.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 11.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 40.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 29 Dec 2026 – 18 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 44.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 40.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourablePlant 28 Jan 2027 – 27 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 31.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 8 Jan 2027 – 7 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 13.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageFavourablePlant 31 Jan 2027 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 · about 62.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 12.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 35.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 44.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 44.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
GarlicFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 16.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LablabModeratePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 27 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 1.8 t/ha
Frost riskPest/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 Lehlakaneng with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
EggplantFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.0 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.4 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GroundnutModerate Needs irrigationPlant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
What Divisi would not plant in Lehlakaneng
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
- Fonio Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Cowpea Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Eggplant 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
- 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
- Sugarcane Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sweet orange Moderate — Frost & pests
- Mandarin Moderate — Frost & pests
- Avocado Moderate — Frost & pests
- Lemon Moderate — Frost & pests
- Passion fruit 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
- 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
- Tea Unsuitable
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Temperature
- Yam Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 44 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Lehlakaneng, 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
329 km · Banana & plantain, Irish potato, Tomato, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
392 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
453 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Lehlakaneng?
Pumpkin, Sunflower, Watermelon, Jute mallow, Niger seed all rate well in Lehlakaneng — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Pumpkin in Lehlakaneng?
In Lehlakaneng the window for Pumpkin runs 22 Dec 2026 to 11 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Lehlakaneng?
Divisi does. It reads Lehlakaneng'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 Lehlakaneng, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.