What grows in Mutoko
Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe
The 2026/27 season in Mutoko
| 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 661 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 +1.6 °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 17 September 2026
What grows in Mutoko
-
Finger milletFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 1 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MangoFavourablePlant 30 Oct 2026 – 8 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 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 1 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
41.2–43.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 4 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 -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 1 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 6 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 -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 1 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 6 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 -
Common beanFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 7 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 21 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 7 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 — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.6 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 1 Dec 2026 – 30 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 9 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 -
OnionFavourable
Plant 1 Dec 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 21 Dec 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2025 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 29 Dec 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 9 Feb 2027 – 18 Feb 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GuavaFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SesameFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 28 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MoringaFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
12.3–14.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumSteep slope -
TomatoFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 9 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 1 Mar 2027 – 10 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.2 t/ha expected
· about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RoselleFavourablePlant 30 Oct 2026 – 19 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 9 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 11 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 29 Nov 2026 – 19 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 29 Aug 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RiceFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 9 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 5.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 17 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 29 Dec 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CottonFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 8 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.7 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 Mutoko with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
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 -
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 -
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 -
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimum -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 opens in 25 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 -
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 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
PineappleFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 55.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
TeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
SugarcaneFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 82.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 May 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 20 Jul 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
What Divisi would not plant in Mutoko
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.
- Cashew Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Lemon Moderate — Water
- Lime Moderate — Water
- Mandarin Moderate — Water
- Sweet orange Moderate — Water
- Cassava 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 — Water
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 26 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Mutoko, 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 Mutoko
- 1 September 2026 Lettuce — Planting window moved, now opens 1 Dec 2026
- 31 August 2026 Lablab — Limiting factor changed
- 31 August 2026 Sweet Potato — Limiting factor changed
- 31 August 2026 Papaya — Limiting factor changed
- 31 August 2026 Cashew — 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
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 Mutoko?
Finger millet, Lablab, Mango, Papaya, Pearl millet all rate well in Mutoko — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Finger millet in Mutoko?
In Mutoko the window for Finger millet runs 1 Nov 2026 to 1 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Mutoko?
Divisi does. It reads Mutoko'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 Mutoko, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.