What grows in Western
Sierra Leone
The 2026 season in Western
| 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 2,990 mm in a typical farming district |
| Across its districts | From about 2,990 mm in the driest of 2 districts to about 3,094 mm in the wettest |
| 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 | 2 kinds of ground. The season below is one typical farming district's, not a figure for the whole of this area. |
| 87% | enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 256 growing days · about 3,010 mm · April to December |
|---|---|
| 13% | enough rain for one full main crop; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 255 growing days · about 3,000 mm · April to December |
last updated 18 September 2026 · from all 2 areas within it
Western's districts
What grows here
-
African eggplantFavourableGrows well in 2 of 2 districts
Plant 15 Apr 2026 – 27 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourableGrows well in 2 of 2 districts
Plant 16 Apr 2026 – 13 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourableGrows well in 2 of 2 districts
Plant 16 Apr 2026 – 19 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CashewFavourableGrows well in 2 of 2 districts
Plant 3 Apr 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Common beanFavourableGrows well in 2 of 2 districts
Plant 16 Apr 2026 – 1 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourableGrows well in 2 of 2 districts
Plant 16 Apr 2026 – 13 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-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 here with irrigation
-
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationClears in 1 of 2 areas scored
Plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationClears in 1 of 2 areas scored
Plant 10 Jun 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationClears in 1 of 2 areas scored
Plant 10 Jun 2027 – 19 Jun 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet pepperModerate Needs irrigationClears in 1 of 2 areas scored
Plant 1 May 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 30 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 12.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops above are gathered from every district in Western, and the ground under them is not all the same. 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.
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Western?
African eggplant, African nightshade, Amaranth, Cashew, Common bean all rate well in Western — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant African eggplant in Western?
In Western the window for African eggplant runs 15 Apr 2026 to 27 Sep 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Western?
Divisi does. It reads Western'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 Western, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.