What can I grow in Najaf?

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 63°F (17°C) · Ideal: 54–72°F (12–22°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 42°F (6°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 1.8 in (45 mm) · Ideal: 9.8–24 in (250–600 mm) · covered by irrigation

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: 63°F (17°C) · Ideal: 54–70°F (12–21°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 42°F (6°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 1.8 in (45 mm) · Ideal: 9.8–22 in (250–550 mm) · covered by irrigation

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.

• Winter chill (9 winters in 10)100

  Here: 25 portions · Ideal: at least 10 portions

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 23°F (-5°C) · Ideal: at least 18°F (-8°C)

• Frost-free days100

  Here: 321 days · Ideal: at least 170 days

• Degree days above 50°F (10°C)100

  Here: 10,193 °F·days (5,663 °C·days) · Ideal: at least 2,340 °F·days (1,300 °C·days)

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 3.2 in (81 mm) · Ideal: 24–47 in (600–1,200 mm) · covered by irrigation

Flower buds are killed around −23 °C in midwinter and by frost after bloom.

Prunus persica. Sources: Fadón et al. 2020, Chilling and heat requirements of temperate stone fruit trees (Prunus sp.) (Agronomy); FAO ECOCROP: Prunus persica. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 82°F (28°C) · Ideal: 68–86°F (20–30°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

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

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 0.8 in (20 mm) · Ideal: 18–35 in (450–900 mm) · covered by irrigation

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: 72°F (22°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 48°F (9°C) · Ideal: at least 43°F (6°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 1.2 in (30 mm) · Ideal: 12–28 in (300–700 mm) · covered by irrigation

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: 63°F (17°C) · Ideal: 55–68°F (13–20°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 42°F (6°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 1.8 in (45 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: 67°F (20°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 48°F (9°C) · Ideal: at least 41°F (5°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 1.0 in (26 mm) · Ideal: 14–28 in (350–700 mm) · covered by irrigation

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.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 82°F (28°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: 0.8 in (20 mm) · Ideal: 16–35 in (400–900 mm) · covered by irrigation

• Degree days above 50°F (10°C)100

  Here: 10,193 °F·days (5,663 °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: 63°F (17°C) · Ideal: 52–68°F (11–20°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 42°F (6°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 1.8 in (45 mm) · Ideal: 7.9–20 in (200–500 mm) · covered by irrigation

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: 88°F (31°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 rain100

  Here: 0.8 in (20 mm) · Ideal: 20–39 in (500–1,000 mm) · covered by irrigation

• Frost-free days100

  Here: 321 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: 82°F (28°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: 0.8 in (20 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.

• Growing-season average100

  Here: 59°F (15°C) · Ideal: 57–75°F (14–24°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

  Here: 42°F (6°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 1.3 in (34 mm) · Ideal: 5.9–18 in (150–450 mm) · covered by irrigation

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.

• Warmest-month average100

  Here: 100°F (38°C) · Ideal: 88–104°F (31–40°C)

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 23°F (-5°C) · Ideal: at least 23°F (-5°C)

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 3.2 in (81 mm) · Ideal: at most 7.9 in (200 mm)

Fruit only ripens with intense summer heat; rain and humidity at ripening spoil it. Roots need groundwater or irrigation.

Phoenix dactylifera. Sources: Zaid & de Wet 2002, Date Palm Cultivation (FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper 156); FAO ECOCROP: Phoenix dactylifera. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Winter chill (9 winters in 10)97

  Here: 25 portions · Ideal: at least 25 portions

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 23°F (-5°C) · Ideal: at least 9°F (-13°C)

• Frost-free days100

  Here: 321 days · Ideal: at least 210 days

• Degree days above 50°F (10°C)100

  Here: 10,193 °F·days (5,663 °C·days) · Ideal: at least 3,420 °F·days (1,900 °C·days)

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 3.2 in (81 mm) · Ideal: 16–35 in (400–900 mm) · covered by irrigation

Blooms in late winter, so spring frosts are the main risk. Humid springs bring disease. Mostly irrigated.

Prunus dulcis. Sources: Fadón et al. 2020, Chilling and heat requirements of temperate stone fruit trees (Prunus sp.) (Agronomy); UC ANR: Almond Production Manual. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

• Growing-season average100

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

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)85

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

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 0.8 in (20 mm) · Ideal: 18–35 in (450–900 mm) · covered by irrigation

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.

• Growing-season average88

  Here: 82°F (28°C) · Ideal: 64–81°F (18–27°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

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

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 0.8 in (20 mm) · Ideal: 9.8–24 in (250–600 mm) · covered by irrigation

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: 82°F (28°C) · Ideal: 72–88°F (22–31°C)

• Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)73

  Here: 56°F (13°C) · Ideal: at least 59°F (15°C)

• Growing-season rain100

  Here: 0.8 in (20 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.

• Winter chill (9 winters in 10)56

  Here: 25 portions · Ideal: at least 30 portions

• Coldest night of the year (average)100

  Here: 23°F (-5°C) · Ideal: at least 0°F (-18°C)

• Frost-free days100

  Here: 321 days · Ideal: at least 210 days

• Degree days above 50°F (10°C)100

  Here: 10,193 °F·days (5,663 °C·days) · Ideal: at least 4,320 °F·days (2,400 °C·days)

• Yearly rain100

  Here: 3.2 in (81 mm) · Ideal: 30–59 in (750–1,500 mm) · covered by irrigation

Needs a long, hot season to fill the nuts.

Carya illinoinensis. Sources: Wells 2017, Pecan: America's Native Nut Tree (University of Alabama Press); FAO ECOCROP: Carya illinoinensis. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.