What grows in Lejweleputswa
Free State, South Africa
The 2026/27 season in Lejweleputswa
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | November 2026 to April 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 510 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning 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 heat | Hotter than usual — about +2.1 °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, with a cool spell that slows winter growth |
| Ground this covers | 2 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 22% of this area. |
| 76% | 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 one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 91 growing days · about 520 mm · November to April |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in Lejweleputswa
22% lowland, semi-arid, mild winter — 40 crops
-
SunflowerFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.5–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 8 Dec 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.6–0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
24.1–27.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 16 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
6.8–8.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 28 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.2–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 18 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.3–1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.3–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.4–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 16 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.4–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.9–1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
11.4–13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Green gramFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CucumberFavourablePlant 6 Dec 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 40.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 6 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OkraFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MaizeFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 3.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 10.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Common beanFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 15 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CarrotFavourablePlant 8 Dec 2026 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 15.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 8 Dec 2026 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 16.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 45.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 24 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 8.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 24 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
WheatFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 6.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 26 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 16.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 40.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourablePlant 6 Feb 2027 – 16 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceFavourablePlant 6 Feb 2027 – 8 Mar 2027 opens in 18 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 11.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
EggplantFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
ChilliFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 6.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 40.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
FonioModeratePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 16 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
TomatoModeratePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 15.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 70.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH outside the crop's range -
AmaranthModeratePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 7.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameModeratePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 7 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 · about 1.0 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
GroundnutModeratePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 8 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 2.6 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
CabbageModeratePlant 4 Feb 2027 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 19.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 · about 70.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
OnionModerate
Plant 27 Nov 2026 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 45.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Swiss chardModeratePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 13.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
KaleModeratePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 13.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum
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 Lejweleputswa with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
RoselleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.3 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
What Divisi would not plant in Lejweleputswa
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.
- Egusi melon Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Garlic Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Roselle Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pineapple Moderate — Frost & pests
- Mango Moderate — Frost & pests
- Moringa Moderate — Frost & pests
- Papaya Moderate — Frost & pests
- Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
- Avocado Unsuitable — Water
- 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
- Enset Unsuitable — Water
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
- Guava Unsuitable — Water
- Lemon Unsuitable — Water
- Lime Unsuitable — Water
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Pigeon pea Unsuitable — Water
- Rice Unsuitable — Water
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable — Water
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
- Yam Unsuitable — Water
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 34 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Lejweleputswa, 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
-
Joburg Market
232 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
292 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
Support and extension
- Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme
- Ilima/Letsema
- Agricultural Research Council
- National Extension Support Services
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Lejweleputswa?
Niger seed, Sunflower, Jute mallow, Watermelon, Lablab all rate well in Lejweleputswa — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Niger seed in Lejweleputswa?
In Lejweleputswa the window for Niger seed runs 8 Dec 2026 to 27 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Lejweleputswa?
Divisi does. It reads Lejweleputswa'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 Lejweleputswa, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.