What grows in Sesheke
Western, Zambia
The 2026/27 season in Sesheke
| 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 756 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 Sesheke
-
Finger milletFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MangoFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SesameFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 5 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 3 Nov 2026 – 13 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 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 45.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 5 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 -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 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 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 36.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 13 Dec 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 13 Dec 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 3 Jan 2027 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 13 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 -
CottonFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 13 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 13 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 30.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 21 May 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CashewFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 1.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
WheatFavourablePlant 2 Jan 2027 – 11 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MoringaFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 12.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 21.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 25 Oct 2026 – 14 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 19.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 1 May 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 21 Feb 2027 – 3 Mar 2027 opens in 20 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 14.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourablePlant 1 Feb 2027 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CassavaFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 13 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 28.1 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 Sesheke 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 -
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 -
LemonFavourable 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 -
Sweet orangeFavourable 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 22 Mar 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 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 52.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 36 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 15.8 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 93.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 May 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 48.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 33.1 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's range -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum
What Divisi would not plant in Sesheke
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
- Sweet orange Moderate — Water
- Lemon Moderate — Water
- Lime Moderate — Water
- Mandarin Moderate — Water
- Grapefruit Moderate — Water
- Yam Moderate — Water
- Avocado Unsuitable — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Pineapple Unsuitable — Water
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 25 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Sesheke, 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 Sesheke
- 2 September 2026 Papaya — Limiting factor changed, now held back mostly by Water
- 2 September 2026 Cashew — 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 Lablab — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
- 2 September 2026 Mango — 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 Sesheke?
Finger millet, Mango, Sesame, Bambara groundnut, Egusi melon all rate well in Sesheke — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Finger millet in Sesheke?
In Sesheke the window for Finger millet runs 24 Oct 2026 to 23 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Sesheke?
Divisi does. It reads Sesheke'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 Sesheke, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.