What grows in Thota-ea-Moli
Maseru, Lesotho
The 2026/27 season in Thota-ea-Moli
| 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 649 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 +2.1 °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 | One kind of ground throughout. |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Thota-ea-Moli
-
SunflowerFavourablePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
25.1–30.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 23 Dec 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
17.1–21.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 4 Jan 2027 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.8–8.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 4 Jan 2027 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.7–0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 4 Jan 2027 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
3.3–4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 5.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 15 Jan 2027 – 24 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
18.1–22.3 t/ha expected
· about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 14 Jan 2027 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.7–2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 14 Jan 2027 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
15.6–19.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourablePlant 24 Jan 2027 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 27.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 1.7 t/ha
Pest/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 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 1.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.2–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
SorghumFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
2.2–2.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 4.7 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.5–1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 3.7 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
TomatoFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 16.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 61.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 1.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 8.8 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
OkraFavourablePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 4 Jan 2027 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 4 Jan 2027 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 4 Jan 2027 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 14 Jan 2027 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageFavourablePlant 3 Feb 2027 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 61.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourablePlant 3 Feb 2027 – 23 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 14 Jan 2027 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
EggplantFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 15.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 6.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 11.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
GarlicFavourablePlant 26 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 15.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
KaleFavourablePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
GroundnutModeratePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 1.8 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Sweet potatoModeratePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 9.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 20.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
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 Thota-ea-Moli
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.
- Green gram Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Enset Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sugarcane Moderate — Frost & pests
- Avocado Moderate — Frost & pests
- Lemon Moderate — Frost & pests
- Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sweet orange Moderate — Frost & pests
- Mandarin 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
- 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
- Yam Unsuitable
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 36 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Thota-ea-Moli, 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
341 km · Banana & plantain, Irish potato, Tomato, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
362 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
422 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Thota-ea-Moli?
Sunflower, Watermelon, Pumpkin, Jute mallow, Niger seed all rate well in Thota-ea-Moli — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Sunflower in Thota-ea-Moli?
In Thota-ea-Moli the window for Sunflower runs 15 Dec 2026 to 14 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Thota-ea-Moli?
Divisi does. It reads Thota-ea-Moli'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 Thota-ea-Moli, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.