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What grows in Zomba

Southern, Malawi

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Map showing the boundary of Zomba

The 2026/27 season in Zomba

Rainy seasonsOne each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it
When the rains are expectedNovember 2026 to April 2027
Rain in a typical yearAbout 960 mm
This season's rainLeaning dry — January, February 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 heatHotter 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 supportsenough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season
Ground this covers3 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 59% of this area.
59% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 176 growing days · about 1,040 mm · November to April
38% enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 182 growing days · about 1,110 mm · November to May
3% enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 225 growing days · about 1,320 mm · October to June

last updated 17 September 2026

What grows in Zomba

59% lowland, semi-arid, warm — 53 crops

38% lowland, sub-humid, warm — 57 crops

3% highland, sub-humid, warm — 46 crops

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 grows in Zomba with irrigation

These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.

What Divisi would not plant in Zomba

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 Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Arabica coffee Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Banana Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Chickpea Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Taro Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Robusta coffee Moderate — Water
  • Coconut Moderate — Water
  • Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
  • Oil palm Unsuitable — Water

Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 9 came back without a sowing date.

Plan the season, not just check it

The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Zomba, 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 first

What changed in Zomba

  • 2 September 2026 Mandarin — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
  • 2 September 2026 Tomato — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
  • 2 September 2026 Tomato — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
  • 2 September 2026 Beetroot — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
  • 2 September 2026 Beetroot — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable

This 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

Support and extension

Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Zomba?

Guava, Lime, Maize, Mandarin, Mango all rate well in Zomba — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Guava in Zomba?

In Zomba the window for Guava runs 22 Oct 2026 to 30 Jan 2027.

Is there a farming app that works in Zomba?

Divisi does. It reads Zomba'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 Zomba, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.

Keep going

The district's answer is one question. What each crop needs, what attacks it and where to sell it are the others.

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