What grows in Rusape
Manicaland, Zimbabwe
The 2026/27 season in Rusape
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | October 2026 to April 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 799 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January, February, November 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 full main crop, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | One kind of ground throughout. |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in Rusape
-
Finger milletFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 13 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
16.2–16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
-
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 13 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 13 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.6–2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 33.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 11 Feb 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 13 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (lime) -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 4.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LettuceFavourablePlant 12 Jan 2027 – 21 Feb 2027 opens in 15 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
EggplantFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 13 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
GuavaFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet orangeFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 3 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
LemonFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
PapayaFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 39.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 63.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TeffFavourablePlant 1 Feb 2027 – 11 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageFavourablePlant 7 Feb 2027 – 17 Feb 2027 opens in 19 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 22.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 3 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 3 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LimeFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 18.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 22.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 22 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 11.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 20.7 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GarlicFavourablePlant 9 Dec 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 4.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 16.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 14 Oct 2026 – 3 Nov 2026 opens in 2 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-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 Rusape with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimum -
EnsetFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2027 – 9 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 41.4 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
TeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.1 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
MoringaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2026 – 1 May 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimum -
Pigeon peaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 29 Aug 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.5 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk
What Divisi would not plant in Rusape
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.
- Avocado Moderate — Water
- Grapefruit Moderate — Water
- Moringa Moderate — Temperature
- Pineapple Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Tea Moderate — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cashew Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cassava Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable
- Cotton Unsuitable — Temperature
- Egusi melon Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable — Water
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Pigeon pea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Rice Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Temperature
- Yam Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 24 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Rusape, 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 Rusape
- 31 August 2026 Lablab — Forecast basis changed, now based on the forecast-adjusted
- 31 August 2026 Cashew — Forecast basis changed, now based on the forecast-adjusted
- 31 August 2026 Papaya — Forecast basis changed, now based on the forecast-adjusted
- 31 August 2026 Papaya — Forecast basis changed, now based on the typical season
- 31 August 2026 Lablab — Forecast basis changed, now based on the typical season
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
-
GMB Marondera Depot
72 km · Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Finger millet
-
Sakubva Market
74 km · Banana & plantain, Tomato, Cabbage, Irish potato
-
Mbare Musika
138 km · Tomato, Maize, Cabbage, Onion
Support and extension
- Command Agriculture
- Pfumvudza/Intwasa
- AGRITEX
- Department of Research and Specialist Services
- Seed Services Institute
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Rusape?
Finger millet, Fonio, Lablab, Mango, Pearl millet all rate well in Rusape — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Finger millet in Rusape?
In Rusape the window for Finger millet runs 14 Oct 2026 to 13 Nov 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Rusape?
Divisi does. It reads Rusape'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 Rusape, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.