What grows in Semonkong
Maseru, Lesotho
The 2026/27 season in Semonkong
| 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 641 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 90% of this area. |
| 90% | enough rain for one full main crop; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 222 growing days · about 640 mm · October to May |
|---|---|
| 10% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 157 growing days · about 630 mm · November to May |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Semonkong
90% sub-humid, cool — 11 crops
-
WheatModeratePlant 20 Oct 2026 – 9 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.2–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 2.5 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Niger seedModeratePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
Common beanModeratePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.6–0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.1 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
TeffModeratePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.7–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.3 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Irish potatoModeratePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.4–9.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 16.3 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
BeetrootModeratePlant 1 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.8–9.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 14.7 t/ha
Steep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageModeratePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
10.7–13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 25.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
LettuceModeratePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
5.9–7.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 12.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
GarlicModeratePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.3–2.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Swiss chardModeratePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.9–10.1 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 -
KaleModeratePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.2–9.4 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
10% semi-arid, cool — 20 crops
-
SunflowerFavourablePlant 10 Oct 2026 – 9 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
1.6–1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 0.9 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.7–0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
3.5–4.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 2.5 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageable -
Common beanFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.7–2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourablePlant 29 Dec 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.0–2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 29 Dec 2026 – 18 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
11.2–14.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 18 Jan 2027 – 7 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
20.4–25.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 14.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourablePlant 18 Jan 2027 – 7 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
15.6–19.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 12.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 10 Oct 2026 – 9 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
14.1–17.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 10.1 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
20.4–25.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 16.3 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
CucumberFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
13.7–16.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
19.0–24.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 18.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 19 Dec 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 16.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageFavourablePlant 8 Jan 2027 – 18 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 25.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 18.4 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 5.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
KaleFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 18.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
TobaccoModeratePlant 10 Oct 2026 – 9 Nov 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
MaizeModeratePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 20 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
SorghumModeratePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 20 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 0.8 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 Divisi would not plant in Semonkong
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.
- Sweet orange Moderate — Frost & pests
- Groundnut Moderate — Temperature
- Mandarin Moderate — Frost & pests
- African eggplant Unsuitable — Temperature
- Amaranth Unsuitable — Temperature
- Avocado Unsuitable
- 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
- Enset Unsuitable
- Finger millet Unsuitable — Temperature
- Fonio Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable
- Grapefruit Unsuitable
- Green gram Unsuitable — Temperature
- Guava Unsuitable
- Chilli Unsuitable — Temperature
- Jute mallow Unsuitable — Temperature
- Lablab Unsuitable — Temperature
- Lemon Unsuitable
- Lime Unsuitable
- Mango Unsuitable
- Moringa Unsuitable
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Okra Unsuitable — Temperature
- Papaya Unsuitable
- Passion fruit Unsuitable
- Pearl millet Unsuitable — Temperature
- Pigeon pea Unsuitable
- Pineapple Unsuitable
- Rice Unsuitable — Temperature
- Roselle Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sesame Unsuitable — Temperature
- Soybean Unsuitable — Temperature
- Spider plant Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sugarcane Unsuitable
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable
- Tomato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Temperature
- Watermelon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Yam Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 54 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Semonkong, 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
403 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
462 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Semonkong?
Common bean, Niger seed, Wheat, Teff, Beetroot all rate well in Semonkong — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Common bean in Semonkong?
In Semonkong the window for Common bean runs 19 Dec 2026 to 8 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Semonkong?
Divisi does. It reads Semonkong'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 Semonkong, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.