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What grows in Nelson Mandela Bay

Eastern Cape, South Africa

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Map showing the boundary of Nelson Mandela Bay

The 2026 season in Nelson Mandela Bay

When the rains are expectedJanuary 2026 to January 2026
Rain in a typical yearAbout 579 mm
This season's rainRain close to usual — plan around about 579 mm falling roughly when it always does
What that supportsenough rain for a long crop, or two in a year, warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth
Ground this covers4 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 22% 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 470 mm
22% enough rain for a long crop, or two in a year; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 304 growing days · about 580 mm · January to January
15% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 152 growing days · about 500 mm · June to December
10% enough rain for one full main crop; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 232 growing days · about 540 mm · April to December

last updated 17 September 2026

What grows in Nelson Mandela Bay

22% lowland, humid, mild winter — 41 crops

15% lowland, semi-arid, mild winter — 36 crops

10% lowland, sub-humid, mild winter — 34 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 Nelson Mandela Bay 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 Nelson Mandela Bay

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
  • Papaya Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Sesame Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Bambara groundnut Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Grapefruit Moderate — Water
  • Chilli Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
  • Lime Moderate
  • Moringa Moderate — Water
  • Pineapple Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Sugarcane Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Banana Unsuitable — Water
  • Cashew Unsuitable — Water
  • Cassava Unsuitable — Water
  • Chickpea Unsuitable — Water
  • Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
  • Coconut Unsuitable — Water
  • Taro Unsuitable — Water
  • Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
  • Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
  • Cotton Unsuitable — Water
  • Cowpea Unsuitable — Water
  • Egusi melon Unsuitable — Water
  • Ginger Unsuitable — Water
  • Green gram Unsuitable — Water
  • Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
  • Pearl millet Unsuitable — Water
  • Pigeon pea Unsuitable — Water
  • Rice Unsuitable — Water
  • Roselle Unsuitable — Water
  • Tea Unsuitable — Water
  • Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
  • Yam Unsuitable — Water

Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 32 came back without a sowing date.

Plan the season, not just check it

The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Nelson Mandela Bay, 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

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.

Support and extension

Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Nelson Mandela Bay?

Mango, African nightshade, Beetroot, Common bean, Cucumber all rate well in Nelson Mandela Bay — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Mango in Nelson Mandela Bay?

In Nelson Mandela Bay the window for Mango runs 25 Feb 2027 to 13 Aug 2027.

Is there a farming app that works in Nelson Mandela Bay?

Divisi does. It reads Nelson Mandela Bay'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 Nelson Mandela Bay, 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.

Crop guides Pest guides Disease guides Where to sell it Farming glossary Farming insights Read the Hive Feed How the advice is made