What grows in Windhoek Rural
Khomas, Namibia
The 2026 season in Windhoek Rural
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | January 2026 to April 2026 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 404 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January and February 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 +2.2 °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 short crop, and only if timed to it, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | 4 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 35% of this area. |
| 35% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 97 growing days · about 390 mm · January to April |
|---|---|
| 33% | too dry for rain-fed cropping without irrigation; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season no rain-fed season · about 280 mm |
| 9% | too dry for rain-fed cropping without irrigation; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth no rain-fed season · about 180 mm |
| 9% | too dry for rain-fed cropping without irrigation; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season no rain-fed season · about 330 mm |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in Windhoek Rural
35% highland, semi-arid, warm — 35 crops
-
LablabFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 31 Jan 2027 – 2 Mar 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
7.3–8.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 31 Jan 2027 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
0.7–0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2027 – 29 Aug 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
15.9–18.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
27.9–32.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.7–2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.9–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2027 – 18 Aug 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TomatoFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WheatFavourablePlant 21 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 6.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OkraFavourablePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 20 Feb 2027 – 2 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MaizeFavourablePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 21 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
CarrotFavourablePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionFavourable
Plant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 16 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceFavourablePlant 15 Feb 2027 – 7 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
EggplantFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Finger milletModeratePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioModeratePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
AmaranthModeratePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Swiss chardModeratePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 7.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2025 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
ChilliModeratePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 3.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
KaleModeratePlant 11 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2025 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GarlicModeratePlant 31 Jan 2027 – 9 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 · about 16.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk
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 Windhoek Rural with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
GuavaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
-
SoybeanFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)Correctable with liming -
SesameFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pearl milletFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RoselleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2027 – 9 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 64.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.5 t/ha expected
Soil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)Correctable with liming -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.1 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.1 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier)
What Divisi would not plant in Windhoek Rural
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.
- Teff 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
- Groundnut Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Mango Moderate — Frost & pests
- Moringa Moderate — Frost & pests
- Papaya Moderate — Frost & pests
- Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
- Rice Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable — Water
- Banana Unsuitable
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cashew Unsuitable
- Cassava Unsuitable
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable
- Cotton Unsuitable — Temperature
- Egusi melon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable
- Ginger Unsuitable
- Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
- Guava Unsuitable — Water
- Lemon Unsuitable — Water
- Lime Unsuitable
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Pearl millet Unsuitable — Temperature
- Pigeon pea Unsuitable
- Pineapple Unsuitable
- Roselle Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sesame Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sugarcane Unsuitable
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable
- Turmeric Unsuitable
- Yam Unsuitable
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 39 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Windhoek Rural, 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
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Windhoek Rural?
Lablab, Common bean, Cucumber, Jute mallow, Niger seed all rate well in Windhoek Rural — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Lablab in Windhoek Rural?
In Windhoek Rural the window for Lablab runs 27 Dec 2026 to 5 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Windhoek Rural?
Divisi does. It reads Windhoek Rural'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 Windhoek Rural, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.