What grows in Umzingwane
Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe
The 2026/27 season in Umzingwane
| 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 652 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 +2.1 °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 Umzingwane
-
LablabFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.7–2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.3–2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 22 Nov 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.6–1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 1.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 12 Feb 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 13 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
30.4–30.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 23 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 12 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2025 – 18 Sep 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 28 Dec 2026 – 6 Feb 2027 opens in 13 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Finger milletFavourablePlant 25 Oct 2026 – 4 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.0–2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 2.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 4 Nov 2026 – 14 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
FonioFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 30 Oct 2026 – 9 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.1–2.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MangoFavourablePlant 9 Nov 2026 – 29 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 12.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 5 Nov 2026 – 15 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.7–3.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 4.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 14 Nov 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 26.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MaizeFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 May 2027 · about 8.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 28 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TomatoFavourablePlant 18 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 61.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 28 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 24 Nov 2026 – 23 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.6 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 26 Nov 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Jun 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 4 Dec 2026 – 2 Feb 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 5 Dec 2026 – 24 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 39.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 5 Dec 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 6.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 4 Dec 2026 – 2 Feb 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 7.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 13.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 13 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 6.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 16 Feb 2027 – 25 Feb 2027 opens in 20 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.5 t/ha expected
· about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChilliFavourablePlant 25 Oct 2026 – 14 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 21.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 23 Oct 2026 – 12 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 1.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 2 Nov 2026 – 2 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 4 Nov 2026 – 4 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 4 Nov 2026 – 4 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 43.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 26 Nov 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 opens in 8 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 7 Dec 2025 – 18 Sep 2026 · about 35.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 13 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 2.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 26 Oct 2026 – 15 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PapayaFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 49.6 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageable -
LettuceFavourablePlant 27 Jan 2027 – 26 Feb 2027 opens in 17 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 14.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 30.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TeffFavourablePlant 2 Feb 2027 – 11 Feb 2027 opens in 18 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 3.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
RiceModeratePlant 8 Nov 2026 – 8 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.4 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 Umzingwane 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
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
-
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.7 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 2.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.5 t/ha expected
-
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 61.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 24.9 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
EnsetFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.3 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageable -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
CottonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
LimeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.8 t/ha expected
Frost risk -
MoringaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.3 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageable -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.2 t/ha expected
Frost riskLate-maturing — drought risk
What Divisi would not plant in Umzingwane
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.
- Egusi melon Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Moringa Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Passion fruit Moderate — Frost & pests
- Pigeon pea Moderate — Frost & pests
- Pineapple 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
- Cotton Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable — Water
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Grapefruit Unsuitable — Water
- Guava Unsuitable — Water
- Lemon Unsuitable — Water
- Lime Unsuitable — Water
- Mandarin Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Sugarcane Unsuitable — Water
- Sweet orange Unsuitable — Water
- Tea Unsuitable — Water
- Turmeric Unsuitable
- 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 Umzingwane, 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 Umzingwane
- 1 September 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
-
GMB Bulawayo Depot
42 km · Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Finger millet
-
Renkini Market
42 km · Maize, Groundnut, Cowpea, Sorghum
-
Nkulumane Market
46 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 Umzingwane?
Lablab, Pearl millet, Cowpea, Green gram, Jute mallow all rate well in Umzingwane — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Lablab in Umzingwane?
In Umzingwane the window for Lablab runs 8 Nov 2026 to 28 Dec 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Umzingwane?
Divisi does. It reads Umzingwane'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 Umzingwane, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.