What grows in Port Loko
North Western, Sierra Leone
The 2026 season in Port Loko
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | April 2026 to December 2026 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 2,859 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — September and October 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 +0.7 °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, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | One kind of ground throughout. |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in Port Loko
-
African eggplantFavourablePlant 12 Apr 2026 – 24 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 25 Apr 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
· about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 15 Apr 2026 – 1 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 12 Apr 2026 – 24 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 33.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CashewFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 26 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Common beanFavourablePlant 13 Apr 2026 – 28 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 13 Apr 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 24 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 14 Apr 2026 – 13 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GuavaFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 24 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 15 Apr 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 21 Apr 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LimeFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 24 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 24 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MangoFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 24 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OkraFavourablePlant 15 Apr 2026 – 14 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 14.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 22 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 23 Apr 2026 – 5 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 24 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 24 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 27 Apr 2026 – 13 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
· about 13.2 t/ha
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 24 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 12 Apr 2026 – 24 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 61.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 10 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 33.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 27 May 2027 – 19 Aug 2027 opens in 34 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
· about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 12 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 5 Apr 2027 – 8 Sep 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 2 Sep 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 8.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 12 Apr 2027 – 11 Aug 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PapayaFavourablePlant 12 Apr 2027 – 22 Aug 2027 opens in 28 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 45.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RiceFavourablePlant 23 Apr 2027 – 2 Sep 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 2 Sep 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 30 Jul 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
EggplantFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 30 Jul 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 10 Jul 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 11 May 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 11 May 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2026 – 5 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
CoconutFavourablePlant 20 Mar 2027 – 9 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GrapefruitFavourablePlant 1 Apr 2027 – 21 Apr 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionFavourable
Plant 23 Apr 2027 – 13 Sep 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 29.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
PineappleFavourablePlant 2 Apr 2027 – 22 Apr 2027 opens in 26 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 43.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CassavaFavourablePlant 5 Apr 2027 – 25 Apr 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourablePlant 21 Apr 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 29 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 21 May 2027 · about 26.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 1 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.4 t/ha expected
· about 32.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
BananaFavourablePlant 20 Mar 2027 – 21 Aug 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 55.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this cropSoil pH outside the crop's range -
CocoaFavourablePlant 9 Apr 2027 – 7 Aug 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this cropSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Oil palmFavourablePlant 11 Apr 2027 – 1 Sep 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 19.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this crop -
SugarcaneFavourablePlant 5 Apr 2027 – 25 Apr 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 51.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 111.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 24 Mar 2027 – 13 Apr 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
TaroFavourablePlant 20 Mar 2027 – 9 Apr 2027 opens in 24 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceModeratePlant 14 Jun 2027 – 26 Jul 2027 opens in 37 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 13.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
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 Port Loko 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 Port Loko
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.
- Robusta coffee Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Avocado Unsuitable — Temperature
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable — Temperature
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Irish potato Unsuitable
- Lemon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Niger seed Unsuitable — Temperature
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet pepper Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sweet potato Unsuitable — Temperature
- Swiss chard Unsuitable — Temperature
- Tea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 18 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Port Loko, 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 firstWhat changed in Port Loko
- 31 August 2026 Beetroot — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Tobacco — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Pumpkin Butternut — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Teff — Crop became recommendable
- 31 August 2026 Rice — Crop became recommendable
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.
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Port Loko?
African eggplant, African nightshade, Amaranth, Bambara groundnut, Carrot all rate well in Port Loko — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African eggplant in Port Loko?
In Port Loko the window for African eggplant runs 12 Apr 2026 to 24 Sep 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Port Loko?
Divisi does. It reads Port Loko'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 Port Loko, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.