What can I grow in Chipata?

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 71°F (21°C) · Ideal: 64–86°F (18–30°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 59°F (15°C) · Ideal: at least 50°F (10°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 26 in (653 mm) · Ideal: 16–35 in (400–900 mm)

• Degree days above 50°F (10°C)100

  Here: 7,385 °F·days (4,103 °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.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 64–81°F (18–27°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 55°F (13°C) · Ideal: at least 50°F (10°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 17 in (422 mm) · Ideal: 9.8–24 in (250–600 mm)

Fruit set fails when nights drop below ~10 °C or days top ~35 °C. Wet seasons bring blight.

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

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 74°F (23°C) · Ideal: 72–86°F (22–30°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 60°F (16°C) · Ideal: at least 57°F (14°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 22 in (567 mm) · Ideal: 18–35 in (450–900 mm)

Needs warm, light soil for pods to develop underground.

Arachis hypogaea. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Arachis hypogaea; FAO Crop Water Information: groundnut. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Average temperature100

  Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 61–77°F (16–25°C)

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 41°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 14°F (-10°C)

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 39 in (989 mm) · Ideal: 59–118 in (1,500–3,000 mm) · covered by irrigation

• Dry-season length100

  Here: 7 months · Ideal: at most 2 months · covered by irrigation

• Days above 95°F (35°C)100

  Here: 1 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.

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 41°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

• Average temperature100

  Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 61–75°F (16–24°C)

• Days above 95°F (35°C)100

  Here: 1 days · Ideal: at most 10 days

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 39 in (989 mm) · Ideal: 39–71 in (1,000–1,800 mm) · covered by irrigation

Most commercial orchards are irrigated. Needs free-draining soil; root rot in waterlogged ground. Hot dry winds at flowering cut fruit set.

Persea americana. Sources: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: avocado production guidance; FAO ECOCROP: Persea americana. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 71°F (21°C) · Ideal: 68–86°F (20–30°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 59°F (15°C) · Ideal: at least 50°F (10°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 26 in (653 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.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 54–72°F (12–22°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 55°F (13°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 17 in (422 mm) · Ideal: 9.8–24 in (250–600 mm)

In mild-winter climates spring wheat is sown in autumn and grows through the cool season.

Triticum aestivum. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Triticum aestivum; FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 33 (Doorenbos & Kassam 1979). Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 71°F (22°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 62°F (16°C) · Ideal: at least 41°F (5°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 24 in (616 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.

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 41°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 30°F (-1°C)

• Average temperature100

  Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 64–77°F (18–25°C)

• Days above 95°F (35°C)100

  Here: 1 days · Ideal: at most 5 days

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 39 in (989 mm) · Ideal: 47–98 in (1,200–2,500 mm) · covered by irrigation

Subtropical: best in frost-free, humid coastal climates. Strong winds break limbs.

Macadamia integrifolia / M. tetraphylla. Sources: Hort Innovation / Australian Macadamia Society growing guides; FAO ECOCROP: Macadamia integrifolia. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 41°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 28°F (-2°C)

• Average temperature100

  Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

• Warmest-month average100

  Here: 77°F (25°C) · Ideal: 75–90°F (24–32°C)

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 39 in (989 mm) · Ideal: 35–79 in (900–2,000 mm)

Freezes are the deciding risk: a few hours below −3 °C damage fruit and young trees. Our cold-snap estimate is weakest in subtropical climates.

Citrus spp.. Sources: UF/IFAS Extension: citrus cold hardiness; FAO ECOCROP: Citrus sinensis. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 75°F (24°C) · Ideal: 72–88°F (22–31°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 60°F (16°C) · Ideal: at least 59°F (15°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 13 in (333 mm) · Ideal: 28–79 in (700–2,000 mm) · covered by irrigation

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.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 71°F (21°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 59°F (15°C) · Ideal: at least 43°F (6°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 26 in (653 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.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 57–75°F (14–24°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 59°F (15°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 16 in (419 mm) · Ideal: 5.9–18 in (150–450 mm)

Grown as a short-season crop in most commercial systems; day-neutral types fruit through summer.

Fragaria × ananassa. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Fragaria × ananassa; UC ANR: Strawberry production. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 73°F (23°C) · Ideal: 72–90°F (22–32°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

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

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 22 in (567 mm) · Ideal: 20–39 in (500–1,000 mm)

• Frost-free days100

  Here: 365 days · Ideal: at least 190 days

Needs a long, hot season and dry weather when bolls open.

Gossypium hirsutum. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Gossypium hirsutum; FAO Crop Water Information: cotton. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 73°F (23°C) · Ideal: 72–91°F (22–33°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

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

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 3.7 in (93 mm) · Ideal: 12–28 in (300–700 mm) · covered by irrigation

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.

• Average temperature100

  Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 64–72°F (18–22°C)

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 41°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 39°F (4°C)

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 39 in (989 mm) · Ideal: 55–91 in (1,400–2,300 mm) · covered by irrigation

• Dry-season length100

  Here: 7 months · Ideal: at most 4 months · covered by irrigation

• Days above 95°F (35°C)100

  Here: 1 days · Ideal: at most 2 days

A short dry season (2–3 months) helps flowering happen all at once. Above ~23 °C average, quality and yield fall; frost kills.

Coffea arabica. Sources: DaMatta & Ramalho 2006, Impacts of drought and temperature stress on coffee physiology and production (Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology); FAO ECOCROP: Coffea arabica. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Growing-season average100

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

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 51°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 8.1 in (206 mm) · Ideal: 14–28 in (350–700 mm) · covered by irrigation

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.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 68°F (20°C) · Ideal: 52–68°F (11–20°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 51°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 8.1 in (206 mm) · Ideal: 7.9–20 in (200–500 mm)

The most cold- and drought-tolerant small grain; malting barley wants a cool, dry finish.

Hordeum vulgare. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Hordeum vulgare; FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 33 (Doorenbos & Kassam 1979). Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Growing-season average100

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

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 55°F (13°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 17 in (422 mm) · Ideal: 9.8–22 in (250–550 mm)

Heat over ~30 °C at flowering cuts yield; a cool-season crop in warm climates.

Brassica napus. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Brassica napus; Canola Council of Canada: Canola Encyclopedia. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 41°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 18°F (-8°C)

• Warmest-month average100

  Here: 77°F (25°C) · Ideal: 72–90°F (22–32°C)

• Frost-free days100

  Here: 365 days · Ideal: at least 200 days

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 39 in (989 mm) · Ideal: 9.8–39 in (250–1,000 mm)

Tops die back around −10 °C but roots often regrow. Rain at ripening splits fruit.

Ficus carica. Sources: UC ANR: Fig production; FAO ECOCROP: Ficus carica. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Coldest-month average100

  Here: 63°F (17°C) · Ideal: at least 61°F (16°C)

• Coldest night of the year (average)96

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

• Average temperature81

  Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 72–86°F (22–30°C)

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 39 in (989 mm) · Ideal: 59–102 in (1,500–2,600 mm) · covered by irrigation

• Dry-season length100

  Here: 7 months · Ideal: at most 2 months · covered by irrigation

Growth stops below ~14 °C; wind tears the leaves.

Musa spp.. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Musa acuminata; FAO Crop Water Information: banana. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Average temperature85

  Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 72–86°F (22–30°C)

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 41°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 36°F (2°C)

• Frost-free days100

  Here: 365 days · Ideal: at least 300 days

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 39 in (989 mm) · Ideal: 43–98 in (1,100–2,500 mm) · covered by irrigation

A cooler, drier spell before harvest raises sugar content. Often irrigated.

Saccharum officinarum. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Saccharum officinarum; FAO Crop Water Information: sugarcane. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Average temperature85

  Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 72–86°F (22–30°C)

• Coldest night of the year (average)96

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

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 39 in (989 mm) · Ideal: 39–79 in (1,000–2,000 mm) · covered by irrigation

Very drought tolerant once established; harvested 8–24 months after planting.

Manihot esculenta. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Manihot esculenta; FAO 2013, Save and Grow: Cassava. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 41°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 39°F (4°C)

• Average temperature56

  Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 73–86°F (23–30°C)

• Dry-season length100

  Here: 7 months · Ideal: at least 3 months

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 39 in (989 mm) · Ideal: 31–98 in (800–2,500 mm)

A dry or cool spell before flowering gives a good crop; rain at flowering brings anthracnose.

Mangifera indica. Sources: Litz (ed.), The Mango: Botany, Production and Uses (CABI); FAO ECOCROP: Mangifera indica. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Winkler index (Apr–Oct degree days)80

  Here: 4,864 °F·days (2,702 °C·days) · Ideal: 3,420–4,680 °F·days (1,900–2,600 °C·days)

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 41°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 10°F (-12°C)

• Frost-free days100

  Here: 365 days · Ideal: at least 180 days

• Yearly rain87

  Here: 39 in (989 mm) · Ideal: 16–35 in (400–900 mm)

Winkler regions: I < 1389, II 1389–1667, III 1667–1944, IV 1944–2222, V > 2222 °C·days (Apr–Oct, base 10 °C). Wet summers mean mildew pressure.

Vitis vinifera. Sources: Amerine & Winkler 1944, Composition and quality of musts and wines of California grapes (Hilgardia); Jones et al. 2010, Spatial analysis of climate in winegrape growing regions in the western United States (American Journal of Enology and Viticulture). Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 41°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 3°F (-16°C)

• Warmest-month average100

  Here: 77°F (25°C) · Ideal: 66–82°F (19–28°C)

• Coldest-month average13

  Here: 63°F (17°C) · Ideal: at most 54°F (12°C)

• Frost-free days100

  Here: 365 days · Ideal: at least 120 days

• Yearly rain75

  Here: 39 in (989 mm) · Ideal: 14–33 in (350–850 mm)

Dislikes wet winters and humid summers more than cold. Needs sharp drainage.

Lavandula angustifolia / L. × intermedia. Sources: University extension lavender production guides (e.g. Oregon State, Washington State); FAO ECOCROP: Lavandula angustifolia. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.