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What grows in Gert Sibande

Mpumalanga, South Africa

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Map showing the boundary of Gert Sibande

The 2026/27 season in Gert Sibande

Rainy seasonsOne each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it
When the rains are expectedSeptember 2026 to May 2027
Rain in a typical yearAbout 724 mm
This season's rainRain close to usual — plan around about 724 mm falling roughly when it always does
This season's heatHotter than usual — about +1.5 °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, cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date
Ground this covers3 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 69% of this area.
69% 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
18% enough rain for one full main crop; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 225 growing days · about 840 mm · September to May
13% enough rain for one full main crop; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 192 growing days · about 620 mm · October to April

last updated 17 September 2026

What grows in Gert Sibande

69% sub-humid, cool — 28 crops

18% lowland, sub-humid, mild winter — 41 crops

13% highland, sub-humid, mild winter — 36 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 Divisi would not plant in Gert Sibande

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.

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

Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 33 came back without a sowing date.

Plan the season, not just check it

The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Gert Sibande, 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

What changed in Gert Sibande

  • 2 September 2026 Irish Potato — Planting window moved, now opens 6 Nov 2026
  • 2 September 2026 Cabbage — Planting window moved, now opens 6 Nov 2026
  • 2 September 2026 Common Bean — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Soil
  • 2 September 2026 Common Bean — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
  • 2 September 2026 Common Bean — Planting window moved, now opens 19 Oct 2026

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.

Where to sell it nearby

Support and extension

Frequently asked questions

What crops grow well in Gert Sibande?

Niger seed, Sunflower, Common bean, Teff, Watermelon all rate well in Gert Sibande — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.

When should I plant Niger seed in Gert Sibande?

In Gert Sibande the window for Niger seed runs 16 Oct 2026 to 24 Jan 2027.

Is there a farming app that works in Gert Sibande?

Divisi does. It reads Gert Sibande'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 Gert Sibande, 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.

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