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For growers

What can I grow in Manizales?

🇨🇴Manizales, Caldas Department, Colombia

Manizales is in hardiness zone 11b, almost never frosts, and gets almost no winter chill and 91 in (2313 mm) of rain a year. Best fits: tea, strawberry, wheat, potato and hemp.

Find land with a climate like Manizales →
Hardiness zone
Zone 11b
Coldest night 49°F (9°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
5,170 °F·days(2,872 °C·days)
Degree days above 50°F (10°C)
Hot days
0 days
Above 95°F (35°C) a year
Rain
91 in(2313 mm)
Per year
Dry season
None
Months with rain under 2× the average °C

Great fits (80+)

  1. 100%fit

    Tea

    China type (var. sinensis)

    Beverage · Perennial

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Average temperature100

      Here: 64°F (18°C) · Ideal: 61–77°F (16–25°C)

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 49°F (9°C) · Ideal: at least 14°F (-10°C)

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 91 in (2,313 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. 100%fit

    Strawberry

    Fruit · Annual · Plant in June

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

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

      Here: 64°F (18°C) · Ideal: 57–75°F (14–24°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 56°F (13°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 14 in (367 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.

  3. 100%fit

    Wheat

    Spring wheat

    Grain · Annual · Plant in June

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

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

      Here: 64°F (18°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: 21 in (542 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.

  4. 100%fit

    Potato

    Root crop · Annual · Plant in May

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

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

      Here: 64°F (18°C) · Ideal: 55–68°F (13–20°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 56°F (13°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 25 in (632 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.

  5. 100%fit

    Hemp

    Best variety: Autoflowering

    Fiber · 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: 65°F (18°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 56°F (13°C) · Ideal: at least 41°F (5°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 18 in (467 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.

  6. 100%fit

    Canola (rapeseed)

    Spring canola

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in June

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

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

      Here: 64°F (18°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: 21 in (542 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.

  7. 100%fit

    Maize (corn)

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

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 56°F (13°C) · Ideal: at least 50°F (10°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 29 in (740 mm) · Ideal: 16–35 in (400–900 mm)

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

      Here: 5,170 °F·days (2,872 °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.

  8. 100%fit

    Sunflower

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in May

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

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

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

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 56°F (13°C) · Ideal: at least 43°F (6°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 25 in (632 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.

  9. 99%fit

    Macadamia

    Nut · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too cool overall: 64°F (18°C) here, ideal 64–77°F (18–25°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 49°F (9°C) · Ideal: at least 30°F (-1°C)

    • Average temperature95

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

    • Days above 95°F (35°C)100

      Here: 0 days · Ideal: at most 5 days

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 91 in (2,313 mm) · Ideal: 47–98 in (1,200–2,500 mm)

    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.

  10. 99%fit

    Tomato

    Vegetable · Annual · Plant in June

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 64°F (18°C) here, ideal 64–81°F (18–27°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average99

      Here: 64°F (18°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: 21 in (542 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.

  11. 98%fit

    Coffee (arabica)

    Beverage · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too cool overall: 64°F (18°C) here, ideal 64–72°F (18–22°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Average temperature95

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

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 49°F (9°C) · Ideal: at least 39°F (4°C)

    • Yearly rain99

      Here: 91 in (2,313 mm) · Ideal: 55–91 in (1,400–2,300 mm)

    • Dry-season length100

      Here: 0 months · Ideal: at most 4 months

    • Days above 95°F (35°C)100

      Here: 0 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.

  12. 97%fit

    Barley

    Grain · Annual · Plant in June

    Holding it back: Too wet in the growing season: 21 in (542 mm) here, ideal 7.9–20 in (200–500 mm)

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

      Here: 64°F (18°C) · Ideal: 52–68°F (11–20°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

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

    • Growing-season rain90

      Here: 21 in (542 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.

  13. 89%fit

    Avocado

    Hass (Guatemalan × Mexican)

    Fruit · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too wet: 91 in (2,313 mm) here, ideal 39–71 in (1,000–1,800 mm)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 49°F (9°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

    • Average temperature100

      Here: 64°F (18°C) · Ideal: 61–75°F (16–24°C)

    • Days above 95°F (35°C)100

      Here: 0 days · Ideal: at most 10 days

    • Yearly rain57

      Here: 91 in (2,313 mm) · Ideal: 39–71 in (1,000–1,800 mm)

    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.

  14. 85%fit

    Soybean

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in February

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 65°F (18°C) here, ideal 68–86°F (20–30°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average73

      Here: 65°F (18°C) · Ideal: 68–86°F (20–30°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 56°F (14°C) · Ideal: at least 50°F (10°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 34 in (876 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. 66%fit

    Sorghum

    Grain · Annual · Plant in May

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 64°F (18°C) here, ideal 72–91°F (22–33°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average43

      Here: 64°F (18°C) · Ideal: 72–91°F (22–33°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 56°F (13°C) · Ideal: at least 54°F (12°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 25 in (632 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.

  2. 63%fit

    Cotton

    Fiber · Annual · Plant in February

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 65°F (18°C) here, ideal 72–90°F (22–32°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average35

      Here: 65°F (18°C) · Ideal: 72–90°F (22–32°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 56°F (13°C) · Ideal: at least 54°F (12°C)

    • Growing-season rain83

      Here: 44 in (1,116 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.

  3. 56%fit

    Rice

    Grain · Annual · Plant in February

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 65°F (18°C) here, ideal 72–88°F (22–31°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average35

      Here: 65°F (18°C) · Ideal: 72–88°F (22–31°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)79

      Here: 56°F (14°C) · Ideal: at least 59°F (15°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 34 in (876 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.

  4. 56%fit

    Sugarcane

    Sugar crop · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too cool overall: 64°F (18°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Average temperature17

      Here: 64°F (18°C) · Ideal: 72–86°F (22–30°C)

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 49°F (9°C) · Ideal: at least 36°F (2°C)

    • Frost-free days100

      Here: 365 days · Ideal: at least 300 days

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 91 in (2,313 mm) · Ideal: 43–98 in (1,100–2,500 mm)

    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.

Long shots (2)▸
  1. 48%fit

    Cassava

    Root crop · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too cool overall: 64°F (18°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Average temperature17

      Here: 64°F (18°C) · Ideal: 72–86°F (22–30°C)

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 49°F (9°C) · Ideal: at least 41°F (5°C)

    • Yearly rain84

      Here: 91 in (2,313 mm) · Ideal: 39–79 in (1,000–2,000 mm)

    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.

  2. 43%fit

    Peanut

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in March

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 65°F (18°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average21

      Here: 65°F (18°C) · Ideal: 72–86°F (22–30°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)90

      Here: 56°F (13°C) · Ideal: at least 57°F (14°C)

    • Growing-season rain87

      Here: 38 in (977 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.

Won't grow here (22)▸
  • 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
  • Banana: Too cool overall: 64°F (18°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)
  • Blueberry: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 55 portions
  • Cacao: Too cool overall: 64°F (18°C) here, ideal 75–84°F (24–29°C)
  • Cherry: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 60 portions
  • Citrus: Summers too cool: 65°F (18°C) here, ideal 75–90°F (24–32°C)
  • Date palm: Summers too cool: 65°F (18°C) here, ideal 88–104°F (31–40°C)
  • Fig: Too wet: 91 in (2,313 mm) here, ideal 9.8–39 in (250–1,000 mm)
  • Garlic: Winters too mild: 63°F (17°C) here, ideal at most 43°F (6°C)
  • Hops: Summer days too short: 12.4 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: 63°F (17°C) here, ideal at most 50°F (10°C)
  • Mango: Too cool overall: 64°F (18°C) here, ideal 73–86°F (23–30°C)
  • 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
  • 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: 63°F (17°C) here, ideal 30–50°F (-1 to 10°C)
  • Walnut: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 45 portions
  • Wine grapes: Too wet: 91 in (2,313 mm) here, ideal 16–35 in (400–900 mm)

Climate vs. crop needs

Temperature (°F)

HighLowAverage

Ideal yearly average40°50°60°70°80°JFMAMJJASONDHigh Jan: 73°High Feb: 73°High Mar: 73°High Apr: 72°High May: 72°High Jun: 72°High Jul: 73°High Aug: 73°High Sep: 73°High Oct: 71°High Nov: 71°High Dec: 72°Low Jan: 56°Low Feb: 56°Low Mar: 57°Low Apr: 57°Low May: 57°Low Jun: 57°Low Jul: 56°Low Aug: 56°Low Sep: 55°Low Oct: 55°Low Nov: 56°Low Dec: 56°Average Jan: 64°Average Feb: 65°Average Mar: 65°Average Apr: 64°Average May: 65°Average Jun: 64°Average Jul: 65°Average Aug: 64°Average Sep: 64°Average Oct: 63°Average Nov: 63°Average Dec: 64°Yearly average here: 64°Coldest night here: 49°

Rain (in per month)

 

051015JFMAMJJASONDRain Jan: 5.1Rain Feb: 5.5Rain Mar: 7.8Rain Apr: 11Rain May: 10Rain Jun: 5.4Rain Jul: 4.1Rain Aug: 5Rain Sep: 6.9Rain Oct: 12Rain Nov: 10Rain Dec: 7.8
  • Ideal yearly average: 61–77°F. Compare with the gray dashed average line.
  • Yearly average here: 64°F
  • Coldest night it survives: 5°F (well below the chart)
  • Coldest night here: 49°F
  • Ideal rain a year: 59–118 in. Here: 91 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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