What grows in Sinazongwe
Southern, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Sinazongwe
| 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 774 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 +1.8 °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 Sinazongwe
-
MangoFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slope -
SesameFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 5 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CashewFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 22 Feb 2027 opens in 6 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 — manageableSteep slope -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.9–3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PapayaFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 43.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
· about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2025 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 24 Dec 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 24 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
RoselleFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
MaizeFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.5 t/ha expected
· about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GuavaFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.9 t/ha expected
· about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.3 t/ha expected
· about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 19 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MoringaFavourablePlant 15 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNo soil data for this spot -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 4 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 30 Oct 2026 – 9 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.2–1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeLate-maturing — drought risk -
CottonFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 25 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 5 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
LettuceModeratePlant 2 Feb 2027 – 22 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 32.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSteep slopeEarly-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 Sinazongwe with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
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 -
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 64.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
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 — manageable -
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 — manageable -
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 — manageable -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 34.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CassavaFavourable 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 — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 41.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 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 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourable 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 — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.0 t/ha expected
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.4 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 1.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 25.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 28 Oct 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2027 – 19 Jun 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 48.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Pest/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 11.9 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk
What Divisi would not plant in Sinazongwe
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.
- Niger seed 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
- Irish potato 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
- Sweet orange Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Wheat 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
- Swiss chard Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Beetroot Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Cassava Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Yam Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Avocado Moderate — Water
- Grapefruit Moderate — Water
- Pineapple Moderate — Water
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Turmeric Moderate — Water
- 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 — Water
- Teff 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 Sinazongwe, 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 Sinazongwe
- 2 September 2026 Cashew — Limiting factor changed
- 2 September 2026 Cashew — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Fonio — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Slope / terrain
- 2 September 2026 Fonio — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Pearl Millet — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Slope / terrain
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
192 km · Maize, Tomato, Cabbage, Onion
-
Boka Tobacco Auction Floors
374 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 Sinazongwe?
Mango, Sesame, Bambara groundnut, Cashew, Egusi melon all rate well in Sinazongwe — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Mango in Sinazongwe?
In Sinazongwe the window for Mango runs 31 Oct 2026 to 9 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Sinazongwe?
Divisi does. It reads Sinazongwe'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 Sinazongwe, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.