Climatch
For growers

What can I grow in Rubanda?

🇺🇬Rubanda, Western Region, Uganda

Rubanda is in hardiness zone 11a, almost never frosts, and gets almost no winter chill and 41 in (1038 mm) of rain a year. Best fits: wheat, canola (rapeseed), strawberry, barley and potato.

Find land with a climate like Rubanda →
Hardiness zone
Zone 11a
Coldest night 42°F (6°C)
Frost season
Frost-free
Frost is very rare
Frost-safe planting
Any time
No spring frost 9 years in 10
Winter chill
21 hours
1 chill portions
Summer heat
3,917 °F·days(2,176 °C·days)
Degree days above 50°F (10°C)
Hot days
0 days
Above 95°F (35°C) a year
Rain
41 in(1038 mm)
Per year
Dry season
2 months
Months with rain under 2× the average °C

Great fits (80+)

  1. 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: 50°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 15 in (384 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.

  2. 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: 50°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 15 in (384 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.

  3. 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: 61°F (16°C) · Ideal: 57–75°F (14–24°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 50°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 9.8 in (248 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.

  4. 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: 50°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 15 in (384 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.

  5. 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: 50°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 15 in (384 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.

  6. 100%fit

    Avocado

    Hass (Guatemalan × Mexican)

    Fruit · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too cool overall: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 61–75°F (16–24°C)

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

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

    • Average temperature98

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

    • Days above 95°F (35°C)100

      Here: 0 days · Ideal: at most 10 days

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 41 in (1,038 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.

  7. 100%fit

    Tea

    China type (var. sinensis)

    Beverage · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too cool overall: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 61–77°F (16–25°C)

    Needs irrigation · 0 withoutSee it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Average temperature99

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

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 42°F (6°C) · Ideal: at least 14°F (-10°C)

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 41 in (1,038 mm) · Ideal: 59–118 in (1,500–3,000 mm) · covered by irrigation

    • Dry-season length100

      Here: 2 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.

  8. 96%fit

    Wine grapes

    Best variety: Cool-climate (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling)

    Fruit · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too wet: 41 in (1,038 mm) here, ideal 16–35 in (400–900 mm)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Winkler index (Apr–Oct degree days)100

      Here: 2,354 °F·days (1,308 °C·days) · Ideal: 1,800–2,610 °F·days (1,000–1,450 °C·days)

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 42°F (6°C) · Ideal: at least 0°F (-18°C)

    • Frost-free days100

      Here: 365 days · Ideal: at least 180 days

    • Yearly rain80

      Here: 41 in (1,038 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.

  9. 86%fit

    Maize (corn)

    Grain · Annual · Plant in December

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 64–86°F (18–30°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average69

      Here: 61°F (16°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 rain100

      Here: 14 in (349 mm) · Ideal: 16–35 in (400–900 mm) · covered by irrigation

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

      Here: 3,917 °F·days (2,176 °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.

  10. 83%fit

    Sunflower

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in December

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average69

      Here: 61°F (16°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 50°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 43°F (6°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 14 in (349 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.

  11. 80%fit

    Tomato

    Vegetable · Annual · Plant in December

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 64–81°F (18–27°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average63

      Here: 61°F (16°C) · Ideal: 64–81°F (18–27°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

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

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 14 in (349 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. 79%fit

    Macadamia

    Nut · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too cool overall: 61°F (16°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: 42°F (6°C) · Ideal: at least 30°F (-1°C)

    • Average temperature32

      Here: 61°F (16°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: 41 in (1,038 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.

  2. 74%fit

    Hemp

    Best variety: Autoflowering

    Fiber · Annual · Plant in January

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average55

      Here: 61°F (16°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: 9.8 in (248 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.

  3. 72%fit

    Coffee (arabica)

    Beverage · Perennial

    Holding it back: Too cool overall: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 64–72°F (18–22°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Average temperature32

      Here: 61°F (16°C) · Ideal: 64–72°F (18–22°C)

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 42°F (6°C) · Ideal: at least 39°F (4°C)

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 41 in (1,038 mm) · Ideal: 55–91 in (1,400–2,300 mm) · covered by irrigation

    • Dry-season length100

      Here: 2 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.

  4. 67%fit

    Soybean

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in December

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 68–86°F (20–30°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average45

      Here: 61°F (16°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 rain100

      Here: 14 in (349 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.

  5. 65%fit

    Garlic

    Best variety: Softneck (California Early, Silverskin)

    Vegetable · Annual

    Holding it back: Winters too mild: 60°F (15°C) here, ideal at most 54°F (12°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Coldest-month average45

      Here: 60°F (15°C) · Ideal: at most 54°F (12°C)

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 42°F (6°C) · Ideal: at least 5°F (-15°C)

    • Warmest-month average60

      Here: 62°F (16°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    • Yearly rain95

      Here: 41 in (1,038 mm) · Ideal: 16–39 in (400–1,000 mm)

    Planted in autumn and harvested in early summer; cloves need weeks below ~10 °C to form bulbs (hardnecks more than softnecks).

    Allium sativum. Sources: UC ANR: Garlic production in California; FAO ECOCROP: Allium sativum. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  6. 63%fit

    Lavender

    English lavender (L. angustifolia)

    Herb · Perennial

    Holding it back: Winters too mild: 60°F (15°C) here, ideal at most 50°F (10°C)

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

      Here: 42°F (6°C) · Ideal: at least -11°F (-24°C)

    • Warmest-month average80

      Here: 62°F (16°C) · Ideal: 63–79°F (17–26°C)

    • Coldest-month average12

      Here: 60°F (15°C) · Ideal: at most 50°F (10°C)

    • Frost-free days100

      Here: 365 days · Ideal: at least 120 days

    • Yearly rain66

      Here: 41 in (1,038 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.

Long shots (3)▸
  1. 37%fit

    Sorghum

    Grain · Annual · Plant in December

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 72–91°F (22–33°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average17

      Here: 61°F (16°C) · Ideal: 72–91°F (22–33°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)70

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

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 14 in (349 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. 21%fit

    Cotton

    Fiber · Annual · Plant in September

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 72–90°F (22–32°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average2

      Here: 61°F (16°C) · Ideal: 72–90°F (22–32°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)70

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

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 24 in (604 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. 12%fit

    Rice

    Grain · Annual · Plant in December

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 72–88°F (22–31°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average3

      Here: 61°F (16°C) · Ideal: 72–88°F (22–31°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)31

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

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 14 in (349 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.

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: 61°F (16°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: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 75–84°F (24–29°C)
  • Cassava: Too cool overall: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)
  • Cherry: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 60 portions
  • Citrus: Summers too cool: 62°F (16°C) here, ideal 75–90°F (24–32°C)
  • Date palm: Summers too cool: 62°F (16°C) here, ideal 88–104°F (31–40°C)
  • Fig: Summers too cool: 62°F (16°C) here, ideal 72–90°F (22–32°C)
  • Hops: Summer days too short: 12.2 h here, ideal at least 15.0 h
  • Kiwifruit: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 42 portions
  • Mango: Too cool overall: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 73–86°F (23–30°C)
  • Olive: Not enough winter chill: 7 hours here, ideal at least 300 hours
  • Peach: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 40 portions
  • Peanut: Growing season too cool: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)
  • 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: 60°F (15°C) here, ideal 30–50°F (-1 to 10°C)
  • Sugarcane: Too cool overall: 61°F (16°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)
  • Walnut: Not enough winter chill: 0 portions here, ideal at least 45 portions

Climate vs. crop needs

Temperature (°F)

HighLowAverage

Ideal average in the growing season40°50°60°70°80°JFMAMJJASONDHigh Jan: 72°High Feb: 72°High Mar: 71°High Apr: 70°High May: 69°High Jun: 70°High Jul: 71°High Aug: 72°High Sep: 72°High Oct: 71°High Nov: 70°High Dec: 71°Low Jan: 50°Low Feb: 51°Low Mar: 51°Low Apr: 52°Low May: 52°Low Jun: 49°Low Jul: 48°Low Aug: 50°Low Sep: 51°Low Oct: 51°Low Nov: 51°Low Dec: 51°Average Jan: 61°Average Feb: 62°Average Mar: 61°Average Apr: 61°Average May: 61°Average Jun: 60°Average Jul: 60°Average Aug: 61°Average Sep: 61°Average Oct: 61°Average Nov: 61°Average Dec: 61°

Rain (in per month)

 

0246JFMAMJJASONDRain Jan: 2.8Rain Feb: 3.0Rain Mar: 4.0Rain Apr: 5.3Rain May: 3.3Rain Jun: 1.1Rain Jul: 0.8Rain Aug: 2.6Rain Sep: 4.0Rain Oct: 4.8Rain Nov: 5.2Rain Dec: 4.0
  • Ideal average in the growing season: 54–72°F. Compare with the gray dashed average line.
  • Growing season: Jan–Apr
  • Ideal rain over the growing season: 9.8–24 in. Here: 15 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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