Planning GuidePlanning
Reading India's Kharif, Rabi & Zaid Sowing Calendar
A quick primer on the three Indian cropping seasons so you sow the right seed at the right time for your region.
Year-round4 min read
1
Kharif (monsoon sowing, June-October)
Best for okra, brinjal, gourds, and most native Kharif vegetables that benefit from monsoon humidity and warm soil.
2
Rabi (winter sowing, October-March)
Ideal for carrots, radish, spinach, fenugreek, and cool-season greens that prefer mild daytime temperatures.
3
Zaid (summer sowing, March-June)
Suited to heat-tolerant crops like cucumber, watermelon, and okra with consistent irrigation to offset high evaporation.
4
Adjust for your microclimate
Coastal, hill, and plains regions shift these windows by 2-4 weeks — check with your nearest agronomist desk if unsure.
Agronomist Tips
- Track your region's first and last frost dates if you're at higher elevation.
- Stagger sowing by two weeks across a bed for a continuous harvest instead of one glut.
- Keep a simple sowing log each season — it becomes your best planning tool over time.