What grows in Tsoelikana
Qacha's Nek, Lesotho
The 2026/27 season in Tsoelikana
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | September 2026 to May 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 732 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 +1.5 °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 | 4 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 89% of this area. |
| 89% | enough rain for one full main crop; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 223 growing days · about 730 mm · September to May |
|---|---|
| 6% | enough rain for one full main crop; cold for much of the year, with a short planting season 249 growing days · about 830 mm · August to May |
| 3% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 173 growing days · about 580 mm · October to April |
| 3% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 171 growing days · about 580 mm · October to April |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Tsoelikana
89% sub-humid, cool — 12 crops
-
Niger seedFavourablePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.7–0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.5–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 0.9 t/ha
Frost riskSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
Common beanFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.5–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Frost riskSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.9–3.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.3 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageable -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 7 Jan 2027 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 14.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageFavourablePlant 27 Jan 2027 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 23.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 17 Jan 2027 – 16 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 13.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourablePlant 27 Jan 2027 – 26 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GarlicFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
5.0–6.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
KaleFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
16.4–21.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 16.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 5 Dec 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk -
OnionModerate
Plant 20 Oct 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
6.1–7.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 15.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope
6% sub-humid, cold — 3 crops
-
CabbageModeratePlant 18 Sep 2026 – 5 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
13.7–15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 23.9 t/ha
Frost riskSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceModeratePlant 19 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
8.3–8.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
KaleModeratePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
10.1–11.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 16.9 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope
3% highland, semi-arid, mild winter — 27 crops
-
SunflowerFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.5–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 31 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.6–0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 18 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
1.0–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 31 Aug 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLimited rooting depth -
SorghumFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
1.8–2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
MaizeFavourablePlant 18 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
2.9–3.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
WheatFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
3.0–3.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.3 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageable -
CucumberFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
14.3–17.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
14.3–17.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 7.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2026 – 30 Sep 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CarrotFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
15.7–20.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 17.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 31 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
13.2–17.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 15.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
9.4–11.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2026 – 31 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 14.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanFavourablePlant 20 Jan 2027 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TeffFavourablePlant 20 Jan 2027 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 0.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 20 Jan 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 13.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourablePlant 30 Jan 2027 – 1 Mar 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageFavourablePlant 30 Jan 2027 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 23.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 31 Aug 2027
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 11 Dec 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 16.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
GarlicFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
AmaranthModeratePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 8.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2026 – 31 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanModeratePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2026 – 30 Sep 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletModeratePlant 8 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 opens in 1 week
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2026 – 30 Sep 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoModeratePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 15.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2026 – 30 Sep 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
3% semi-arid, cool — 14 crops
-
LablabModeratePlant 28 Sep 2026 – 18 Oct 2026 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
0.4–0.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 31 Aug 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLimited rooting depth -
SunflowerModeratePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.7–0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberModeratePlant 8 Dec 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
5.9–7.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinModeratePlant 8 Dec 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
5.9–7.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 7.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatModeratePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.2–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
CarrotModeratePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.1–9.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 17.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
Niger seedModeratePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoModeratePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.2–9.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 14.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanModeratePlant 7 Jan 2027 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.7–0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
BeetrootModeratePlant 7 Jan 2027 – 16 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
6.8–8.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 13.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
African nightshadeModeratePlant 7 Jan 2027 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
4.0–5.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantModeratePlant 7 Jan 2027 – 16 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2026 – 31 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
TeffModeratePlant 17 Jan 2027 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 0.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
LettuceModeratePlant 27 Jan 2027 – 26 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope
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 Tsoelikana
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.
- Groundnut Moderate — Temperature
- Mandarin Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sugarcane Moderate — Frost & pests
- Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
- Avocado Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sweet orange Moderate — Frost & pests
- Lemon Moderate — Frost & pests
- African eggplant Unsuitable — Temperature
- 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
- Fonio Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable
- Grapefruit Unsuitable
- Green gram Unsuitable — Temperature
- Guava Unsuitable
- Chilli Unsuitable — Temperature
- Jute mallow Unsuitable — Temperature
- Lime Unsuitable
- Mango Unsuitable
- Moringa Unsuitable
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Okra Unsuitable — Temperature
- Papaya Unsuitable
- Pearl millet Unsuitable — Temperature
- Pigeon pea Unsuitable
- Pineapple Unsuitable
- Rice Unsuitable — Temperature
- Roselle Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sesame Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Temperature
- Watermelon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Yam Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 47 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Tsoelikana, 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
184 km · Banana & plantain, Irish potato, Tomato, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
419 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
474 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Tsoelikana?
Niger seed, Sunflower, Lettuce, Cabbage, Kale all rate well in Tsoelikana — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Niger seed in Tsoelikana?
In Tsoelikana the window for Niger seed runs 28 Dec 2026 to 17 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Tsoelikana?
Divisi does. It reads Tsoelikana'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 Tsoelikana, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.