by Digisol 05 August, 2025 0 Comment 30 Views

Planting in Nigeria: When to Start for a Bountiful Harvest

Why Timing Your Planting Matters?

In farming, timing is everything. Plant too early, and the rains might not be enough. Plant too late, and your crops might suffer from too much water or not mature before the dry season kicks in.

At DigiSolFarm, we’ve spoken to farmers, extension officers, and cooperatives across Nigeria. This guide will help smallholder farmers with or without smartphones know when to plant for best results, especially for cassava, maize, yam, vegetables, and rice.

Nigeria Has Different Planting Seasons by Region

Region

Planting Window

Major Crops

South-South & South-East

Late March – April

Cassava, maize, yam, vegetables

South-West

April – Early May

Maize, melon, cassava, leafy vegetables

North-Central

Late May – June

Maize, sorghum, yam

Northern Nigeria

June – July

Millet, maize, groundnut, beans

For Farmers in Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Enugu:

If you're in the DigiSolFarm community hubs across the southeast:
- Start land preparation by mid-March
- Planting begins late March to early April
- Cassava, maize, okra, and pumpkin thrive best in this window
- For yam, plant by early April to give enough time before harvest season in November–December

Don’t Ignore the Soil

Rain alone won’t do the magic. Before planting:
- Clear your field and create ridges or mounds to allow drainage
- Add organic manure (e.g., poultry droppings or compost)
- For sandy soils (common in some parts of Imo and Abia), add mulch to retain moisture

Choosing What to Plant by Season

In the first rains (March–May), go for:
- Cassava
- Maize
- Okra
- Fluted pumpkin (ugu)
- Waterleaf
- Groundnut (in drier southeast zones)

Later in the season (June–July), you can intercrop with:
- Beans
- Melon
- Cocoyam
- Late maize variety (short duration)

Watch Out: Pests Come with the Rain

Rainy seasons bring fast growth but also weeds and pests.
- Weed 2–3 weeks after planting
- Use organic repellents like neem or pepper spray for insects
- Rotate crops each season to reduce soil disease buildup

No Smartphone? No Problem.

Even if you don’t have a smartphone, DigiSolFarm makes it possible to:
- List your farm produce through local agents or cooperative leaders
- Track planting season through radio announcements or extension officers
- Join local WhatsApp groups (through friends or family) for weather alerts and advice

Final Tips for a Successful Season

1. Don’t rush to plant after first rain — wait for soil moisture to stabilize
2. Use clean planting material — stems, seeds, or tubers
3. Space crops properly — don’t overcrowd
4. Record your planting date — it helps plan your harvest and marketing
5. Plan ahead — buyers on DigiSolFarm prefer to book produce early

Need Help?

Call or visit your nearest DigiSolFarm community partner to:
- Register as a farmer
- Learn your area’s planting window
- Get help listing your produce, even if you use a basic phone