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What can I grow in Buenaventura, Colombia?

🇨🇴Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca Department, Colombia

Buenaventura, Colombia is in hardiness zone 13a, almost never frosts, and gets almost no winter chill and 179 in (4543 mm) of rain a year. Best fits: rice, hemp, maize (corn) and soybean.

Find land with a climate like Buenaventura, Colombia →
Hardiness zone
Zone 13a
Coldest night 63°F (17°C)
Frost season
Frost-free
Frost is very rare
Frost-safe planting
Any time
No spring frost 9 years in 10
Winter chill
0 hours
0 chill portions
Summer heat
10,253 °F·days(5,696 °C·days)
Degree days above 50°F (10°C)
Hot days
0 days
Above 95°F (35°C) a year
Rain
179 in(4543 mm)
Per year
Dry season
None
Months with rain under 2× the average °C

Great fits (80+)

  1. 100%fit

    Rice

    Grain · Annual · Plant in January

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average100

      Here: 78°F (26°C) · Ideal: 72–88°F (22–31°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: at least 59°F (15°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 45 in (1,152 mm) · Ideal: 28–79 in (700–2,000 mm)

    Paddy rice is usually flooded from irrigation or monsoon rain; nights below ~15 °C at flowering cause empty grains.

    Oryza sativa. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Oryza sativa; FAO Crop Water Information: rice. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  2. 91%fit

    Hemp

    Best variety: Autoflowering

    Fiber · Annual · Plant in January

    Holding it back: Too wet in the growing season: 33 in (850 mm) here, ideal 14–28 in (350–700 mm)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average100

      Here: 78°F (26°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: at least 41°F (5°C)

    • Growing-season rain70

      Here: 33 in (850 mm) · Ideal: 14–28 in (350–700 mm)

    Grain and fibre cultivars bred at high latitudes flower too early under the short days of the tropics. Licensing rules vary by country. Autoflowering: Day-neutral: flowers on age, not day length, so it suits low latitudes and short seasons.

    Cannabis sativa. Sources: Amaducci et al. 2015, Key cultivation techniques for hemp in Europe and China (Industrial Crops and Products); FAO ECOCROP: Cannabis sativa. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  3. 90%fit

    Maize (corn)

    Grain · Annual · Plant in January

    Holding it back: Too wet in the growing season: 45 in (1,152 mm) here, ideal 16–35 in (400–900 mm)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average100

      Here: 78°F (26°C) · Ideal: 64–86°F (18–30°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: at least 50°F (10°C)

    • Growing-season rain58

      Here: 45 in (1,152 mm) · Ideal: 16–35 in (400–900 mm)

    • Degree days above 50°F (10°C)100

      Here: 10,253 °F·days (5,696 °C·days) · Ideal: at least 1,980 °F·days (1,100 °C·days)

    Hybrids are matched to season length by relative maturity. Heat over ~35 °C at silking hurts pollination.

    Zea mays. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Zea mays; FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 33 (Doorenbos & Kassam 1979, Yield response to water). Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  4. 84%fit

    Soybean

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in January

    Holding it back: Too wet in the growing season: 45 in (1,152 mm) here, ideal 18–35 in (450–900 mm)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average100

      Here: 78°F (26°C) · Ideal: 68–86°F (20–30°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: at least 50°F (10°C)

    • Growing-season rain50

      Here: 45 in (1,152 mm) · Ideal: 18–35 in (450–900 mm)

    Maturity groups are matched to latitude because flowering is triggered by shortening days.

    Glycine max. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Glycine max; FAO Crop Water Information: soybean. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

Worth a try (50–79)

  1. 64%fit

    Tea

    China type (var. sinensis)

    Beverage · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too wet: 179 in (4,543 mm) here, ideal 59–118 in (1,500–3,000 mm)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Average temperature88

      Here: 78°F (26°C) · Ideal: 61–77°F (16–25°C)

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 63°F (17°C) · Ideal: at least 14°F (-10°C)

    • Yearly rain23

      Here: 179 in (4,543 mm) · Ideal: 59–118 in (1,500–3,000 mm)

    • Dry-season length100

      Here: 0 months · Ideal: at most 2 months

    • Days above 95°F (35°C)100

      Here: 0 days · Ideal: at most 10 days

    Needs acidic soil and steady rain; the finest teas come from cool highlands.

    Camellia sinensis. Sources: Carr 1972, The climatic requirements of the tea plant: a review (Experimental Agriculture); FAO ECOCROP: Camellia sinensis. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  2. 56%fit

    Sorghum

    Grain · Annual · Plant in January

    Holding it back: Too wet in the growing season: 45 in (1,152 mm) here, ideal 12–28 in (300–700 mm)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average100

      Here: 78°F (26°C) · Ideal: 72–91°F (22–33°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: at least 54°F (12°C)

    • Growing-season rain10

      Here: 45 in (1,152 mm) · Ideal: 12–28 in (300–700 mm)

    Handles heat and drought better than maize.

    Sorghum bicolor. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Sorghum bicolor; FAO Crop Water Information: sorghum. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  3. 56%fit

    Sunflower

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in January

    Holding it back: Too wet in the growing season: 45 in (1,152 mm) here, ideal 12–28 in (300–700 mm)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average100

      Here: 78°F (26°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: at least 43°F (6°C)

    • Growing-season rain10

      Here: 45 in (1,152 mm) · Ideal: 12–28 in (300–700 mm)

    Deep roots make it fairly drought tolerant.

    Helianthus annuus. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Helianthus annuus; FAO Crop Water Information: sunflower. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

Long shots (1)▸
  1. 11%fit

    Potato

    Root crop · Annual · Plant in January

    Holding it back: Growing season too hot: 78°F (26°C) here, ideal 55–68°F (13–20°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average4

      Here: 78°F (26°C) · Ideal: 55–68°F (13–20°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

    • Growing-season rain10

      Here: 45 in (1,152 mm) · Ideal: 14–28 in (350–700 mm)

    Tubers form best with cool nights; above ~25 °C tuber growth stalls. In the tropics it's a highland or cool-season crop.

    Solanum tuberosum. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Solanum tuberosum; FAO Crop Water Information: potato. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

Won't grow here (34)▸
  • Almond: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 25 portions
  • Apple: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 60 portions
  • Avocado: Too wet: 179 in (4,543 mm) here, ideal 39–71 in (1,000–1,800 mm)
  • Banana: Too wet: 179 in (4,543 mm) here, ideal 59–102 in (1,500–2,600 mm)
  • Barley: Too wet in the growing season: 73 in (1,863 mm) here, ideal 7.9–20 in (200–500 mm)
  • Blueberry: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 55 portions
  • Cacao: Too wet: 179 in (4,543 mm) here, ideal 59–98 in (1,500–2,500 mm)
  • Canola (rapeseed): Too wet in the growing season: 73 in (1,863 mm) here, ideal 9.8–22 in (250–550 mm)
  • Cassava: Too wet: 179 in (4,543 mm) here, ideal 39–79 in (1,000–2,000 mm)
  • Cherry: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 60 portions
  • Citrus: Too wet: 179 in (4,543 mm) here, ideal 35–79 in (900–2,000 mm)
  • Coffee (arabica): Too wet: 179 in (4,543 mm) here, ideal 55–91 in (1,400–2,300 mm)
  • Cotton: Too wet in the growing season: 74 in (1,891 mm) here, ideal 20–39 in (500–1,000 mm)
  • Date palm: Summers too cool: 79°F (26°C) here, ideal 88–104°F (31–40°C)
  • Fig: Too wet: 179 in (4,543 mm) here, ideal 9.8–39 in (250–1,000 mm)
  • Garlic: Winters too mild: 77°F (25°C) here, ideal at most 43°F (6°C)
  • Hops: Summer days too short: 12.3 h here, ideal at least 15.0 h
  • Kiwifruit: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 42 portions
  • Lavender: Winters too mild: 77°F (25°C) here, ideal at most 50°F (10°C)
  • Macadamia: Too wet: 179 in (4,543 mm) here, ideal 47–98 in (1,200–2,500 mm)
  • Mango: Too wet: 179 in (4,543 mm) here, ideal 31–98 in (800–2,500 mm)
  • Olive: Not enough winter chill: 0 hours here, ideal at least 300 hours
  • Peach: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 40 portions
  • Peanut: Too wet in the growing season: 62 in (1,571 mm) here, ideal 18–35 in (450–900 mm)
  • Pear: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 60 portions
  • Pecan: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 30 portions
  • Pistachio: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 58 portions
  • Saffron: Winters too mild: 77°F (25°C) here, ideal 30–50°F (-1 to 10°C)
  • Strawberry: Too wet in the growing season: 62 in (1,571 mm) here, ideal 5.9–18 in (150–450 mm)
  • Sugarcane: Too wet: 179 in (4,543 mm) here, ideal 43–98 in (1,100–2,500 mm)
  • Tomato: Too wet in the growing season: 45 in (1,152 mm) here, ideal 9.8–24 in (250–600 mm)
  • Walnut: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 45 portions
  • Wheat: Too wet in the growing season: 73 in (1,863 mm) here, ideal 9.8–24 in (250–600 mm)
  • Wine grapes: Too hot for quality fruit: 6,025 °F·days (3,347 °C·days) here, ideal 2,610–3,510 °F·days (1,450–1,950 °C·days)

Climate vs. crop needs

Temperature (°F)

HighLowAverage

Ideal average in the growing season60°70°80°90°JFMAMJJASONDHigh Jan: 86°High Feb: 86°High Mar: 86°High Apr: 86°High May: 86°High Jun: 86°High Jul: 86°High Aug: 86°High Sep: 86°High Oct: 85°High Nov: 85°High Dec: 85°Low Jan: 70°Low Feb: 71°Low Mar: 71°Low Apr: 71°Low May: 71°Low Jun: 70°Low Jul: 70°Low Aug: 70°Low Sep: 70°Low Oct: 70°Low Nov: 70°Low Dec: 70°Average Jan: 78°Average Feb: 78°Average Mar: 79°Average Apr: 78°Average May: 78°Average Jun: 78°Average Jul: 78°Average Aug: 78°Average Sep: 78°Average Oct: 78°Average Nov: 77°Average Dec: 78°

Rain (in per month)

 

0102030JFMAMJJASONDRain Jan: 12Rain Feb: 9.3Rain Mar: 13Rain Apr: 12Rain May: 17Rain Jun: 13Rain Jul: 14Rain Aug: 14Rain Sep: 15Rain Oct: 23Rain Nov: 21Rain Dec: 18
  • Ideal average in the growing season: 72–88°F. Compare with the gray dashed average line.
  • Growing season: Jan–Apr
  • Ideal rain over the growing season: 28–79 in. Here: 45 in.

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How these scores work

Each crop has an ideal range and hard limits for things like winter cold, chill hours, summer heat and rain. A score of 100 means everything is in range; one hard limit crossed means 0. Annual crops are scored over their best growing season, which sets the planting month. Scores assume irrigation where rain falls short, and flag crops that need it.

Climate comes from 1991–2020 monthly averages for the 4 km climate cell around the town. Frost dates, chill and hardiness zones are estimated from those averages by simulating daily weather, so check them against local records. Soil, slope and water rights matter as much as climate. Crop ranges come from FAO ECOCROP and university extension guides and haven't been reviewed by an agronomist yet.

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