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What grows in South Africa

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Map showing the boundary of South Africa

The 2026/27 season in South Africa

Rainy seasonsOne each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it
When the rains are expectedOctober 2026 to April 2027
Rain in a typical yearAbout 622 mm in a typical farming district
Across its districtsFrom about 72 mm in the driest of 52 districts to about 1,130 mm in the wettest
This season's rainLeaning 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 heatHotter than usual — about +1.9 °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 full main crop, warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth
Ground this covers6 kinds of ground. The season below is one typical farming district's, not a figure for the whole of this area.
48% too dry for rain-fed cropping without irrigation; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth no rain-fed season · about 260 mm
13% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 146 growing days · about 540 mm · November to April
10% enough rain for one full main crop; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 212 growing days · about 750 mm · September to May
6% enough rain for one full main crop; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 211 growing days · about 700 mm · October to April
3% enough rain for one full main crop; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 192 growing days · about 630 mm · October to April
3% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season 128 growing days · about 510 mm · November to March

last updated 18 September 2026 · from all 52 areas within it

South Africa's regions

What grows here

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.

Plan the season, not just check it

The crops above are gathered from every district in South Africa, 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 first

Support and extension

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 South Africa?

Niger seed, Jute mallow, Watermelon, Common bean, Lablab all rate well in South Africa — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Niger seed in South Africa?

In South Africa the window for Niger seed runs 10 Dec 2026 to 19 Jan 2027.

Is there a farming app that works in South Africa?

Divisi does. It reads South Africa'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 South Africa, 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

A district's answer is one question. What to grow, what attacks it and where to sell it are the others.

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