What grows in Hwange
Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe
The 2026/27 season in Hwange
| 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 633 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 Hwange
-
FonioFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.4–1.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 21 May 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 2.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.5–2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.7–1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 10 Jun 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
Common beanFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.1–1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 25 Nov 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 1 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 11.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
22.5–25.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 27.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SorghumFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
3.7–4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.4–3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 2.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
33.5–35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 42.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 4 Dec 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 19.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 7 Dec 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 1 May 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 4 Dec 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 28 Oct 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · about 12.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 3 Dec 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 11.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 25 Jan 2027 – 14 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 31.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MangoFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 24.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 36.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 60.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
SesameFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CashewFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 4 Feb 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
MaizeFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 7.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 23 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 2.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 27.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 23.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 42.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 27 Nov 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 54.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CottonFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 10 Jun 2027 · about 39.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
ChilliFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 19.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Pigeon peaFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 25 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 7 Nov 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 17 Nov 2026 – 1 May 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 1 Dec 2026 – 10 Dec 2026 opens in 9 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 24.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 22 Mar 2027 – 21 May 2027 · about 39.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
MoringaFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 34.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in season -
RiceFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 17 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 5.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 26 Nov 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourablePlant 26 Jan 2027 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 27.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
KaleFavourablePlant 17 Nov 2026 – 27 Nov 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 39.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonSoil pH below the crop's optimum
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 Hwange 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 34.3 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 108.8 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 54.4 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 36.3 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 31.7 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 22.7 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 61.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 33.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CassavaFavourable 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 — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TaroFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Oil palmFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.9 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 1.4 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 25.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Irish potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.1 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 31.2 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 19.5 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
WheatFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Arabica coffeeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
based on the rains it usually gets
about 1.3 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 17 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
based on the rains it usually gets
about 23.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 17 Nov 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.4 t/ha expected
Late-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.6 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 1 May 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 30 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 41.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 1 May 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.0 t/ha expected
Early-maturing — escapes late drought
What Divisi would not plant in Hwange
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.
- 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
- Wheat Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Cassava Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- 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
- 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 — Water
- Lime Unsuitable — Water
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable — Water
- Passion fruit Unsuitable — Temperature
- Pineapple Unsuitable — Water
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable
- Teff Unsuitable — Temperature
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
- 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 Hwange, 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
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 Hwange?
Fonio, Lablab, Pearl millet, Soybean, Bambara groundnut all rate well in Hwange — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Fonio in Hwange?
In Hwange the window for Fonio runs 17 Nov 2026 to 7 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Hwange?
Divisi does. It reads Hwange'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 Hwange, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.