What grows in Khutlo-se-Metsi
Thaba-Tseka, Lesotho
The 2026/27 season in Khutlo-se-Metsi
| 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 763 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 87% of this area. |
| 87% | enough rain for one full main crop; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 233 growing days · about 700 mm · September to May |
|---|---|
| 7% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 150 growing days · about 590 mm · November to April |
| 4% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 151 growing days · about 590 mm · November to May |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Khutlo-se-Metsi
87% sub-humid, cool — 6 crops
-
Irish potatoModeratePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 5 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
8.0–10.2 t/ha expected
· about 19.5 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
CabbageModeratePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
10.8–14.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 41.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
LettuceModeratePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
6.3–8.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 20.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootModeratePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
8.4–10.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 25.1 t/ha
Steep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Swiss chardModeratePlant 15 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
9.1–11.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleModeratePlant 4 Dec 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.6–9.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 27.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope
4% highland, semi-arid, mild winter — 12 crops
-
Niger seedFavourablePlant 8 Jan 2027 – 28 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.4–0.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 28 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinModeratePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
9.1–11.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
WheatModeratePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
SunflowerModeratePlant 10 Jan 2027 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 28 Feb 2027
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
CucumberModeratePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
5.8–7.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 30 Apr 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
Irish potatoModeratePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.1–8.9 t/ha expected
· about 19.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanModeratePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.6–0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TeffModeratePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.7–0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
BeetrootModeratePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
6.9–8.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 25.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
African nightshadeModeratePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
3.9–4.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantModeratePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Aug 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSteep slope -
LettuceModeratePlant 31 Jan 2027 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
5.2–6.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 20.0 t/ha
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 Khutlo-se-Metsi
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.
- Jute mallow Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Amaranth Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Finger millet Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Lablab Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sorghum Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Soybean Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Tobacco Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Tomato Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Maize Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Okra Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Watermelon Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Carrot Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Onion Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Eggplant Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sweet pepper Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Garlic Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Mandarin Moderate
- Sugarcane Moderate — Frost & pests
- Fonio Moderate
- Groundnut Moderate — Temperature
- Sweet orange Moderate — Frost & pests
- Avocado Moderate — Frost & pests
- Lemon Moderate — Frost & pests
- Passion fruit 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
- Egusi melon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable
- Ginger Unsuitable — Temperature
- 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
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Temperature
- Yam Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 59 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Khutlo-se-Metsi, 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
249 km · Banana & plantain, Irish potato, Tomato, Cabbage
-
Joburg Market
367 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
425 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Khutlo-se-Metsi?
Niger seed, Irish potato, Beetroot, Lettuce, Cabbage all rate well in Khutlo-se-Metsi — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Niger seed in Khutlo-se-Metsi?
In Khutlo-se-Metsi the window for Niger seed runs 8 Jan 2027 to 28 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Khutlo-se-Metsi?
Divisi does. It reads Khutlo-se-Metsi'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 Khutlo-se-Metsi, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.