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What grows in Nkangala

Mpumalanga, South Africa

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Map showing the boundary of Nkangala

The 2026/27 season in Nkangala

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 768 mm
This season's rainLeaning dry — January, February, October, 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 +1.7 °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 supportsenough rain for one full main crop, cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date
Ground this covers4 kinds of ground. The season below is the largest that farms — about 47% of this area.
47% enough rain for one full main crop; cool for part of the year, so frost sets the planting date 202 growing days · about 690 mm · October to April
28% enough rain for one full main crop; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 188 growing days · about 640 mm · October to April
15% enough rain for one full main crop; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 195 growing days · about 660 mm · October to April
11% enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 155 growing days · about 540 mm · October to April

last updated 17 September 2026

What grows in Nkangala

47% sub-humid, cool — 28 crops

28% lowland, sub-humid, mild winter — 40 crops

15% highland, sub-humid, mild winter — 39 crops

11% lowland, semi-arid, mild winter — 42 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 Nkangala

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.

  • Mandarin Moderate
  • Mango Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Lemon Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Arabica coffee Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Pineapple Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Sugarcane Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Avocado Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Enset Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Moringa Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Papaya Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Tea Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Pigeon pea Moderate — Frost & pests
  • Banana Unsuitable
  • Cashew Unsuitable
  • Cassava Unsuitable
  • Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
  • Cocoa Unsuitable
  • Coconut Unsuitable
  • Taro Unsuitable
  • Robusta coffee Unsuitable
  • Ginger Unsuitable
  • Grapefruit Unsuitable — Temperature
  • Lime Unsuitable
  • Oil palm Unsuitable
  • Turmeric Unsuitable — Temperature
  • Yam Unsuitable — Temperature

Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 27 came back without a sowing date.

Plan the season, not just check it

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

  • 2 September 2026 Irish Potato — Crop stopped being recommendable
  • 2 September 2026 African Nightshade — Crop stopped being recommendable
  • 2 September 2026 Lettuce — Crop stopped being recommendable
  • 2 September 2026 Avocado — Crop became recommendable
  • 2 September 2026 Passion Fruit — Crop became recommendable

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 Nkangala?

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

When should I plant Niger seed in Nkangala?

In Nkangala the window for Niger seed runs 27 Oct 2026 to 15 Jan 2027.

Is there a farming app that works in Nkangala?

Divisi does. It reads Nkangala'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 Nkangala, 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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