What grows in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
North West, South Africa
The 2026/27 season in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | December 2026 to April 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 483 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January, February 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 +2.4 °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 5% of this area. |
| 95% | too dry for rain-fed cropping without irrigation; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth no rain-fed season · about 400 mm |
|---|---|
| 5% | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it; warm, with a cool spell that slows winter growth 79 growing days · about 490 mm · December to April |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
5% lowland, semi-arid, mild winter — 38 crops
-
LablabFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 9 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 -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.6–0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 18 Sep 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 13 Dec 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.6–1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
23.3–27.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 26 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
6.6–8.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.2–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.6–0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 1.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
0.8–1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
2.1–2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.5–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 10 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.0–1.2 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 below the crop's optimum -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
1.5–1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 4.0 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
12.3–14.8 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 -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 10 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 9 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 below the crop's optimum -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.0 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 -
OkraFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 19 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 8 Feb 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MaizeFavourablePlant 10 Dec 2026 – 30 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 2.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 22 Dec 2026 – 20 Feb 2027 opens in 12 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 20 Dec 2026 – 8 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WheatFavourablePlant 20 Dec 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 20 Dec 2026 – 18 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 8.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 20 Dec 2026 – 28 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 20 Dec 2026 – 29 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourablePlant 11 Feb 2027 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 19 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.5 t/ha expected
· about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 22 Jan 2027 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 16 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourablePlant 21 Feb 2027 – 13 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 10.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
EggplantFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
ChilliFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TomatoModeratePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 15.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthModeratePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 7.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletModeratePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.0 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
OnionModerate
Plant 12 Dec 2026 – 31 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 11.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Swiss chardModeratePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 12.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleModeratePlant 2 Dec 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 12.5 t/ha expected
· about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk
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 Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 11 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 64.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RoselleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
SesameFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 18 Sep 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk
What Divisi would not plant in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
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.
- Cabbage Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Groundnut 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
- 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
- Roselle Unsuitable — Water
- Sesame 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; 36 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, 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
-
Letsema Horticulture Market
262 km · Tomato, Cabbage, Onion, Carrot
-
Joburg Market
287 km · Irish potato, Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
-
Tshwane Market
321 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 Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati?
Lablab, Niger seed, Sunflower, Jute mallow, Watermelon all rate well in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Lablab in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati?
In Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati the window for Lablab runs 3 Dec 2026 to 13 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati?
Divisi does. It reads Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati'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 Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.