What grows in Siavonga
Southern, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Siavonga
| 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 724 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 +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 supports | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | One kind of ground throughout. |
last updated 16 September 2026
What grows in Siavonga
-
GroundnutFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MangoFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SesameFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 28 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CashewFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 16 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 8.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 43.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.5 t/ha expected
· about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CarrotFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 33.2 t/ha expected
· about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 26 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 34.7 t/ha expected
· about 61.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
· about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 27 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 14.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 1 May 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 18 Dec 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 21 May 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 7 Jan 2027 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 7 Jan 2027 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 27 Jan 2027 – 26 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 18 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 18 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 1 May 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
MoringaFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 18 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChilliFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 18 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CassavaFavourablePlant 28 Oct 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
KaleFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 17 Dec 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
LettuceModeratePlant 6 Feb 2027 – 26 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
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 Siavonga with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
GuavaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 111.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 55.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LimeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 64.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 36.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Irish potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 39.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CocoaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 28 Oct 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.9 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.0 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk
What Divisi would not plant in Siavonga
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.
- Guava Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Lemon Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Lime Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Mandarin Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Passion fruit 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
- Irish potato Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Grapefruit Moderate — Water
- Sweet orange Moderate — Water
- Avocado Moderate — Water
- Niger seed Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sweet pepper Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pineapple Moderate — Water
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Wheat Moderate — Slope / terrain
- Beetroot Moderate — Slope / terrain
- Turmeric Moderate — Slope / terrain
- Yam Moderate — Slope / terrain
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Tea Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
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 Siavonga, 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 firstWhat changed in Siavonga
- 31 August 2026 Pearl Millet — Limiting factor changed
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
-
New Soweto Market
100 km · Maize, Tomato, Cabbage, Onion
-
Boka Tobacco Auction Floors
329 km · Tobacco
Support and extension
- Farmer Input Support Programme
- Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility
- Department of Agriculture
- Seed Control and Certification Institute
- Zambia Agriculture Research Institute
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Siavonga?
Groundnut, Mango, Sesame, Cashew, Maize all rate well in Siavonga — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Groundnut in Siavonga?
In Siavonga the window for Groundnut runs 29 Oct 2026 to 8 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Siavonga?
Divisi does. It reads Siavonga'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 Siavonga, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.