What grows in Nalolo
Western, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Nalolo
| 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 889 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 Nalolo
-
Finger milletFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 8.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 20.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 28.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CashewFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 5 Mar 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Common beanFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PapayaFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 46.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 28.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 57.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 41.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 13 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 20.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 24.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 5 Mar 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 12.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 12.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 24 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 8 Oct 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 32.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MoringaFavourablePlant 15 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 28.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RiceFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 5.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 12.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 25.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 28.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 36.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 26 Dec 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
· about 36.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 26 Dec 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 15 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 5 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 15 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 20.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 41.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 6 Dec 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 1 May 2027 · about 32.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 6 Dec 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 41.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
GuavaFavourablePlant 17 Oct 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 28.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LimeFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 20.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 28.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
WheatFavourablePlant 4 Jan 2027 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 14 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 5.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 15.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 5 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 6 Mar 2027 – 15 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 32.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceFavourablePlant 13 Feb 2027 – 5 Mar 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 28.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CassavaFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 5 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 33.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourablePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 5 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 20.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericModeratePlant 16 Oct 2026 – 5 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 24.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableDry season too long for this cropLate-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 Nalolo with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 58.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 49.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.9 t/ha expected
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
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 — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 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 87.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.8 t/ha expected
Soil 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 43.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
What Divisi would not plant in Nalolo
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.
- Grapefruit Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Avocado Moderate — Water
- Pineapple Moderate — Water
- Sugarcane 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 — Temperature
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 18 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Nalolo, 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 Nalolo
- 2 September 2026 Papaya — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Lablab — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Cashew — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Frost & pests
- 2 September 2026 Bambara Groundnut — Crop became recommendable
- 2 September 2026 Mandarin — 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.
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 Nalolo?
Finger millet, Groundnut, Lablab, Maize, Mango all rate well in Nalolo — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Finger millet in Nalolo?
In Nalolo the window for Finger millet runs 16 Oct 2026 to 4 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Nalolo?
Divisi does. It reads Nalolo'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 Nalolo, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.