What grows in Binga
Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe
The 2026/27 season in Binga
| 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 716 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 +1.8 °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 17 September 2026
What grows in Binga
-
MangoFavourablePlant 4 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SesameFavourablePlant 4 Nov 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2026 – 21 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CashewFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 5 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 — manageable -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.7–2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 15 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
5.6–5.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 8.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 15 Nov 2026 – 5 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 42.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 64.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 26 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLimited rooting depthEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 15 Nov 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 15 Nov 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 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 3.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 29.5 t/ha expected
· about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 30 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
CarrotFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 47.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 3 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2025 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 34.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 61.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 5 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 5 Dec 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
OkraFavourablePlant 5 Dec 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2025 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 14.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 25 Dec 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 27 Dec 2026 – 16 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 3 Feb 2027 – 23 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 5 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 4 Nov 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 4 Nov 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 20 Jul 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 15 Nov 2026 – 5 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
MoringaFavourablePlant 15 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 25 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 6.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChilliFavourablePlant 4 Nov 2026 – 24 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.6 t/ha expected
· about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CassavaFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
LettuceModeratePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 29.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-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 Binga 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 -
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 -
Oil palmFavourable 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 — 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 1.8 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 34.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Robusta coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 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 32.3 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 33.2 t/ha expected
Early-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 21 May 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 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 27.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Irish potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 39.5 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 35.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 28 Oct 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 7 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 43.9 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 35.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 33 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CoconutFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLimited rooting depth -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum
What Divisi would not plant in Binga
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.
- Swiss chard 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
- Niger seed Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pineapple Moderate — Water
- Sweet pepper Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Avocado Unsuitable
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Beetroot Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable — Water
- Coconut Unsuitable — Water
- Taro Unsuitable — Water
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Enset Unsuitable
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
- Guava Unsuitable — Water
- Lemon Unsuitable
- Lime Unsuitable — Water
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
- Wheat Unsuitable — Temperature
- Yam Unsuitable — Water
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 Binga, 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 firstThis 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
241 km · Maize, Tomato, Cabbage, Onion
-
Boka Tobacco Auction Floors
350 km · Tobacco
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 Binga?
Mango, Sesame, Cashew, Egusi melon, Fonio all rate well in Binga — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Mango in Binga?
In Binga the window for Mango runs 4 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027.
Is there a farming app that works in Binga?
Divisi does. It reads Binga'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 Binga, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.