What grows in Ntsupe
Qacha's Nek, Lesotho
The 2026/27 season in Ntsupe
| 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 622 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 +1.6 °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 the largest that farms — about 78% of this area. |
| 78% | enough rain for one full main crop; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 211 growing days · about 650 mm · October to April |
|---|---|
| 11% | 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 |
| 9% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 146 growing days · about 580 mm · November to April |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Ntsupe
11% semi-arid, cool — 27 crops
-
SunflowerFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 0.4 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 26 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.5–0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
LablabModeratePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
0.6–0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLimited rooting depth -
SorghumModeratePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 9 Nov 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
1.1–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 0.3 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
MaizeModeratePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 9 Nov 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
1.8–2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 0.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
SoybeanModeratePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
0.7–0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
AmaranthModeratePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 20 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
4.9–6.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
TomatoModeratePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
9.4–12.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 4.2 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Finger milletModeratePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
0.7–0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2026 – 30 Sep 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
WheatModeratePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.0–2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 0.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
CarrotModeratePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 5.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TobaccoModeratePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 0.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberModeratePlant 3 Jan 2027 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
5.5–6.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
PumpkinModeratePlant 24 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
5.4–6.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
OnionModerate
Plant 26 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 4.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanModeratePlant 14 Jan 2027 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 0.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TeffModeratePlant 14 Jan 2027 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 0.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
BeetrootModeratePlant 14 Jan 2027 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 4.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
African nightshadeModeratePlant 14 Jan 2027 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantModeratePlant 24 Jan 2027 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Irish potatoModeratePlant 4 Jan 2027 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceModeratePlant 25 Jan 2027 – 24 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CabbageModeratePlant 25 Jan 2027 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 7.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet pepperModeratePlant 30 Sep 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 18 Sep 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
GarlicModeratePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
Swiss chardModeratePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 5.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
KaleModeratePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 5.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum
9% highland, semi-arid, mild winter — 15 crops
-
SorghumModeratePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.8–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 0.3 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Niger seedModeratePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerModeratePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.7–0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 0.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanModeratePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.6–0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 0.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WatermelonModeratePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
8.8–10.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2026 – 30 Sep 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinModeratePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
6.2–7.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
CucumberModeratePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
6.1–7.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
Jute mallowModeratePlant 20 Jan 2027 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.9–3.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatModeratePlant 20 Jan 2027 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 0.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
TeffModeratePlant 30 Jan 2027 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.7–0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 0.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
BeetrootModeratePlant 30 Jan 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.1–8.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 4.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
African nightshadeModeratePlant 30 Jan 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
4.1–5.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantModeratePlant 30 Jan 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
LettuceModeratePlant 9 Feb 2027 – 1 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
Irish potatoModeratePlant 20 Jan 2027 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.7 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 Divisi would not plant in Ntsupe
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.
- Enset Moderate — Frost & pests
- Groundnut Moderate — Temperature
- Lemon Moderate — Frost & pests
- Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
- Mandarin Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sweet orange Moderate — Frost & pests
- Okra Moderate — Slope / terrain
- Eggplant Moderate — Slope / terrain
- African eggplant 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
- Egusi melon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Fonio Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable
- Grapefruit Unsuitable
- Green gram Unsuitable — Temperature
- Guava Unsuitable
- Chilli Unsuitable — Temperature
- 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
- Sugarcane Unsuitable
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Temperature
- Yam Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 45 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Ntsupe, 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
212 km · Banana & plantain, Irish potato, Tomato, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
413 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
470 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Ntsupe?
Sunflower, Niger seed, Sorghum, Wheat, Cucumber all rate well in Ntsupe — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Sunflower in Ntsupe?
In Ntsupe the window for Sunflower runs 16 Dec 2026 to 26 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Ntsupe?
Divisi does. It reads Ntsupe'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 Ntsupe, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.