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For growers

What can I grow in Pokhara?

🇳🇵Pokhara, Gandaki Pradesh, Nepal

Pokhara is in hardiness zone 10a, has about 351 frost-free days a year, and gets about 387 chill hours a winter and 108 in (2742 mm) of rain a year. Best fits: canola (rapeseed), wheat, potato, hemp and barley.

Find land with a climate like Pokhara →
Hardiness zone
Zone 10a
Coldest night 30°F (-1°C)
Frost season
No spring frost – Jan 9
Last and first frost; 351 frost-free days
Frost-safe planting
After Feb 2
Past the last frost 9 years in 10
Winter chill
387 hours
25 chill portions
Summer heat
6,089 °F·days(3,383 °C·days)
Degree days above 50°F (10°C)
Hot days
1 days
Above 95°F (35°C) a year
Rain
108 in(2742 mm)
Per year
Dry season
4 months
Months with rain under 2× the average °C

Great fits (80+)

  1. 100%fit

    Canola (rapeseed)

    Spring canola

    Oilseed · 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: 61°F (16°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: 8.6 in (219 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.

  2. 100%fit

    Wheat

    Spring wheat

    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: 61°F (16°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: 8.6 in (219 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.

  3. 100%fit

    Potato

    Root crop · 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: 61°F (16°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: 8.6 in (219 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.

  4. 100%fit

    Hemp

    Best variety: Autoflowering

    Fiber · Annual · Plant in March

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

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

      Here: 69°F (20°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 50°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 41°F (5°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 19 in (482 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.

  5. 100%fit

    Barley

    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: 61°F (16°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: 8.6 in (219 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.

  6. 100%fit

    Sunflower

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in February

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

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

      Here: 66°F (19°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 45°F (7°C) · Ideal: at least 43°F (6°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 20 in (502 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.

  7. 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: 67°F (19°C) · Ideal: 61–77°F (16–25°C)

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 30°F (-1°C) · Ideal: at least 14°F (-10°C)

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 108 in (2,742 mm) · Ideal: 59–118 in (1,500–3,000 mm)

    • Dry-season length100

      Here: 4 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.

  8. 100%fit

    Strawberry

    Fruit · 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: 58°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: 4.0 in (102 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.

  9. 99%fit

    Rice

    Grain · Annual · Plant in May

    Holding it back: Nights too cold in the growing season: 58°F (15°C) here, ideal at least 59°F (15°C)

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

      Here: 74°F (23°C) · Ideal: 72–88°F (22–31°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)94

      Here: 58°F (15°C) · Ideal: at least 59°F (15°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 79 in (2,002 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.

  10. 98%fit

    Maize (corn)

    Grain · Annual · Plant in March

    Holding it back: Too wet in the growing season: 38 in (958 mm) here, ideal 16–35 in (400–900 mm)

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

      Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 64–86°F (18–30°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

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

    • Growing-season rain90

      Here: 38 in (958 mm) · Ideal: 16–35 in (400–900 mm)

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

      Here: 6,089 °F·days (3,383 °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.

  11. 97%fit

    Soybean

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in March

    Holding it back: Too wet in the growing season: 38 in (958 mm) here, ideal 18–35 in (450–900 mm)

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

      Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 68–86°F (20–30°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

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

    • Growing-season rain88

      Here: 38 in (958 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.

  12. 95%fit

    Macadamia

    Nut · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too wet: 108 in (2,742 mm) here, ideal 47–98 in (1,200–2,500 mm)

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

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

    • Average temperature100

      Here: 67°F (19°C) · Ideal: 64–77°F (18–25°C)

    • Days above 95°F (35°C)100

      Here: 1 days · Ideal: at most 5 days

    • Yearly rain76

      Here: 108 in (2,742 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.

  13. 83%fit

    Tomato

    Vegetable · Annual · Plant in February

    Holding it back: Nights too cold in the growing season: 45°F (7°C) here, ideal at least 50°F (10°C)

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

      Here: 66°F (19°C) · Ideal: 64–81°F (18–27°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)48

      Here: 45°F (7°C) · Ideal: at least 50°F (10°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 20 in (502 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.

Worth a try (50–79)

  1. 78%fit

    Citrus

    Sweet orange (Valencia, Navel)

    Fruit · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too wet: 108 in (2,742 mm) here, ideal 35–79 in (900–2,000 mm)

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

      Here: 30°F (-1°C) · Ideal: at least 28°F (-2°C)

    • Average temperature100

      Here: 67°F (19°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    • Warmest-month average90

      Here: 74°F (24°C) · Ideal: 75–90°F (24–32°C)

    • Yearly rain26

      Here: 108 in (2,742 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.

  2. 74%fit

    Avocado

    Best variety: Mexican-type (cold-hardy, e.g. Mexicola, Bacon)

    Fruit · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too wet: 108 in (2,742 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: 30°F (-1°C) · Ideal: at least 25°F (-4°C)

    • Average temperature100

      Here: 67°F (19°C) · Ideal: 61–75°F (16–24°C)

    • Days above 95°F (35°C)100

      Here: 1 days · Ideal: at most 10 days

    • Yearly rain22

      Here: 108 in (2,742 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.

  3. 70%fit

    Sorghum

    Grain · Annual · Plant in March

    Holding it back: Too wet in the growing season: 38 in (958 mm) here, ideal 12–28 in (300–700 mm)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average87

      Here: 70°F (21°C) · Ideal: 72–91°F (22–33°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)67

      Here: 50°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 54°F (12°C)

    • Growing-season rain48

      Here: 38 in (958 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.

  4. 55%fit

    Sugarcane

    Sugar crop · Perennial

    Holding it back: Winters get too cold: 30°F (-1°C) here, ideal at least 36°F (2°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Average temperature44

      Here: 67°F (19°C) · Ideal: 72–86°F (22–30°C)

    • Coldest night of the year (average)42

      Here: 30°F (-1°C) · Ideal: at least 36°F (2°C)

    • Frost-free days100

      Here: 351 days · Ideal: at least 300 days

    • Yearly rain84

      Here: 108 in (2,742 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. 45%fit

    Cotton

    Fiber · Annual · Plant in February

    Holding it back: Too wet in the growing season: 63 in (1,600 mm) here, ideal 20–39 in (500–1,000 mm)

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

      Here: 69°F (20°C) · Ideal: 72–90°F (22–32°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)23

      Here: 45°F (7°C) · Ideal: at least 54°F (12°C)

    • Growing-season rain14

      Here: 63 in (1,600 mm) · Ideal: 20–39 in (500–1,000 mm)

    • Frost-free days100

      Here: 351 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.

  2. 8%fit

    Mango

    Fruit · Perennial

    Holding it back: Winters get too cold: 30°F (-1°C) here, ideal at least 39°F (4°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Coldest night of the year (average)2

      Here: 30°F (-1°C) · Ideal: at least 39°F (4°C)

    • Average temperature5

      Here: 67°F (19°C) · Ideal: 73–86°F (23–30°C)

    • Dry-season length100

      Here: 4 months · Ideal: at least 3 months

    • Yearly rain84

      Here: 108 in (2,742 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.

Won't grow here (23)▸
  • Almond: Too wet: 108 in (2,742 mm) here, ideal 16–35 in (400–900 mm)
  • Apple: Not enough winter chill: 18 portions here, ideal at least 60 portions
  • Banana: Winters get too cold: 30°F (-1°C) here, ideal at least 41°F (5°C)
  • Blueberry: Not enough winter chill: 18 portions here, ideal at least 55 portions
  • Cacao: Winters too cold: 54°F (12°C) here, ideal at least 68°F (20°C)
  • Cassava: Winters get too cold: 30°F (-1°C) here, ideal at least 41°F (5°C)
  • Cherry: Not enough winter chill: 18 portions here, ideal at least 60 portions
  • Coffee (arabica): Winters get too cold: 30°F (-1°C) here, ideal at least 39°F (4°C)
  • Date palm: Summers too cool: 74°F (24°C) here, ideal 88–104°F (31–40°C)
  • Fig: Too wet: 108 in (2,742 mm) here, ideal 9.8–39 in (250–1,000 mm)
  • Garlic: Too wet: 108 in (2,742 mm) here, ideal 16–39 in (400–1,000 mm)
  • Hops: Summer days too short: 13.9 h here, ideal at least 15.0 h
  • Kiwifruit: Not enough winter chill: 18 portions here, ideal at least 42 portions
  • Lavender: Too wet: 108 in (2,742 mm) here, ideal 14–33 in (350–850 mm)
  • Olive: Too wet: 108 in (2,742 mm) here, ideal 16–35 in (400–900 mm)
  • Peach: Not enough winter chill: 18 portions here, ideal at least 40 portions
  • Peanut: Too wet in the growing season: 96 in (2,428 mm) here, ideal 18–35 in (450–900 mm)
  • Pear: Not enough winter chill: 18 portions here, ideal at least 60 portions
  • Pecan: Too wet: 108 in (2,742 mm) here, ideal 30–59 in (750–1,500 mm)
  • Pistachio: Not enough winter chill: 18 portions here, ideal at least 58 portions
  • Saffron: Too wet: 108 in (2,742 mm) here, ideal 9.8–28 in (250–700 mm)
  • Walnut: Not enough winter chill: 18 portions here, ideal at least 45 portions
  • Wine grapes: Too hot for quality fruit: 4,784 °F·days (2,658 °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 season40°60°80°100°JFMAMJJASONDHigh Jan: 65°High Feb: 70°High Mar: 78°High Apr: 85°High May: 86°High Jun: 86°High Jul: 84°High Aug: 84°High Sep: 84°High Oct: 80°High Nov: 73°High Dec: 67°Low Jan: 42°Low Feb: 45°Low Mar: 50°Low Apr: 55°Low May: 58°Low Jun: 62°Low Jul: 65°Low Aug: 65°Low Sep: 62°Low Oct: 57°Low Nov: 50°Low Dec: 44°Average Jan: 54°Average Feb: 58°Average Mar: 64°Average Apr: 70°Average May: 72°Average Jun: 74°Average Jul: 74°Average Aug: 75°Average Sep: 73°Average Oct: 69°Average Nov: 62°Average Dec: 56°

Rain (in per month)

 

0102030JFMAMJJASONDRain Jan: 0.8Rain Feb: 0.8Rain Mar: 2.4Rain Apr: 4.6Rain May: 12Rain Jun: 19Rain Jul: 24Rain Aug: 24Rain Sep: 17Rain Oct: 3.1Rain Nov: 0.2Rain Dec: 0.4
  • Ideal average in the growing season: 54–70°F. Compare with the gray dashed average line.
  • Growing season: Jan–Apr
  • Ideal rain over the growing season: 9.8–22 in. Here: 8.6 in, so plan on irrigation.

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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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