What grows in Bubi
Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe
The 2026/27 season in Bubi
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | November 2026 to March 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 669 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 +1.9 °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 Bubi
-
Finger milletFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 28 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.6–3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.7–1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LablabFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.4–2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 19 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
3.6–4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 12 Nov 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.7 t/ha expected
· about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.6–2.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 19 Nov 2026 – 18 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 19 Nov 2026 – 19 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 15 Nov 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 19 Nov 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 25 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 22 Nov 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 29 Nov 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 8.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 8 Dec 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MangoFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SesameFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 18 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 29 Oct 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 5 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 19 Nov 2026 – 19 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 27.1 t/ha expected
· about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 28 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 14 Dec 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 16 Feb 2027 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChilliFavourablePlant 30 Oct 2026 – 19 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 30 Oct 2026 – 29 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 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 29 Nov 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 29 Nov 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.9 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 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Nov 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 23 Oct 2026 – 12 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 3.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PapayaFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 46.9 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageable -
LettuceFavourablePlant 19 Dec 2026 – 17 Feb 2027 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceModeratePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 4.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-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 Bubi 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 -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
-
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
-
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.0 t/ha expected
-
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 22 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 30 Jun 2027 – 9 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 64.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 20 Jul 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CottonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
LimeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.2 t/ha expected
Frost risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.2 t/ha expected
Frost riskLate-maturing — drought risk -
MoringaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.8 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageable -
EnsetFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageable
What Divisi would not plant in Bubi
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
- Cotton Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sweet orange Moderate — Water
- Lemon Moderate — Water
- Mandarin Moderate — Water
- Moringa Moderate — Frost & pests
- Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
- Grapefruit Moderate — Water
- Lime Moderate — Water
- Pigeon pea Moderate — Frost & pests
- Avocado Unsuitable — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cashew Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cassava Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable
- Enset Unsuitable — Water
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Pineapple Unsuitable
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable — Water
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
- Yam Unsuitable
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 31 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Bubi, 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 Bubi
- 31 August 2026 Cashew — Suitability class changed, now rates Favourable
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
-
Renkini Market
98 km · Maize, Groundnut, Cowpea, Sorghum
-
GMB Bulawayo Depot
100 km · Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Finger millet
-
Nkulumane Market
105 km · Tomato, Cabbage, Onion, Irish potato
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 Bubi?
Finger millet, Fonio, Bambara groundnut, Lablab, Pearl millet all rate well in Bubi — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Finger millet in Bubi?
In Bubi the window for Finger millet runs 29 Oct 2026 to 28 Nov 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Bubi?
Divisi does. It reads Bubi'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 Bubi, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.