AT A GLANCE
- Rabi: sow October–December, harvest March–April.
- Kharif: sow with the monsoon, June–July; harvest September–November.
- Zaid: short summer crops between March and June where irrigation is available.
Rabi (winter) crops
| Crop | Sowing | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Mustard / rapeseed | 1–20 October | February–March |
| Potato (main crop) | 10 October – 10 November | January–March |
| Chickpea (gram) | 15 October – 10 November | March–April |
| Lentil and field pea | 15 October – 15 November | March–April |
| Wheat (timely) | 1–25 November | Late March – April |
| Wheat (late) | Up to 25 December | April |
Kharif (monsoon) crops
| Crop | Sowing / transplanting | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Paddy (nursery) | Late May – mid June | — |
| Paddy (transplanting) | Late June – mid July | October–November |
| Maize | Mid June – mid July | September–October |
| Pigeon pea (arhar) | June–July | December–March |
| Urd and moong | July | September–October |
| Sugarcane (spring planting) | 15 February – March | After 10–12 months |
| Sugarcane (autumn planting) | October | After 12–14 months |
Zaid (summer) crops
With assured irrigation, a short summer crop between wheat harvest and paddy transplanting adds income and, with moong or urd, adds nitrogen to the soil.
- Moong and urd: sow late March – mid April, right after wheat harvest.
- Cucurbits (cucumber, gourds, melons): February–March.
- Green fodder and dhaincha (green manure): April–May, ploughed in before paddy.
Month-by-month checklist
| Month | On the farm |
|---|---|
| April–May | Harvest wheat; soil sampling; summer ploughing; green manure; repair bunds and channels |
| June | Paddy nursery; buy and check kharif seed and fertilizer; pre-monsoon land preparation |
| July | Transplant paddy; sow maize, pulses; Zinc & Micronutrient Mixture at transplanting (10 kg/acre) |
| August–September | Nitrogen top-dressing; weed control; watch for pests after rain |
| October | Harvest kharif; sow mustard, potato, gram; autumn sugarcane |
| November–December | Sow wheat on time; first irrigation at 21 days; manage residue without burning |
| January–February | Protect crops from frost (light irrigation helps); spring sugarcane preparation |
| March | Harvest mustard; plan zaid crops; avoid irrigating wheat in strong wind |
Not sure what your crop needs?Send clear photos of the crop — the whole plant, the affected leaves up close, and the field — with your crop and its age. Our team will reply in Hindi or English.
