What grows in Qacha's Nek
Lesotho
The 2026/27 season in Qacha's Nek
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | October 2026 to April 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 673 mm in a typical farming district |
| Across its districts | From about 622 mm in the driest of 4 districts to about 732 mm in the wettest |
| 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 +1.6 °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 | 3 kinds of ground. The season below is one typical farming district's, not a figure for the whole of this area. |
| 79% | enough rain for one full main crop; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 213 growing days · about 650 mm · October to April |
|---|---|
| 10% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 147 growing days · about 580 mm · November to April |
| 6% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 168 growing days · about 550 mm · October to April |
last updated 17 September 2026 · from all 4 areas within it
Qacha's Nek's districts
What grows here
-
SunflowerFavourableGrows well in 1 of 4 districts
Plant 16 Dec 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.4 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Niger seedFavourableGrows well in 1 of 4 districts
Plant 26 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.5–0.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
PumpkinModerateClears in 4 of 4 areas scored
Plant 24 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
5.4–6.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
WheatModerateClears in 4 of 4 areas scored
Plant 16 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.0–2.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
TeffModerateClears in 4 of 4 areas scored
Plant 2 Jan 2027 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.8–1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
CarrotModerateClears in 4 of 4 areas scored
Plant 16 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.1 t/ha expected
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.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops above are gathered from every district in Qacha's Nek, and the ground under them is not all the same. 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.
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Qacha's Nek?
Sunflower, Niger seed, Pumpkin, Wheat, Teff all rate well in Qacha's Nek — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Sunflower in Qacha's Nek?
In Qacha's Nek the window for Sunflower runs 16 Dec 2026 to 26 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Qacha's Nek?
Divisi does. It reads Qacha's Nek'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 Qacha's Nek, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.