Rape and covo (collard greens) are staple relish vegetables consumed throughout Zimbabwe. They are grown year-round under irrigation and are among the most widely traded vegetables.
45
Days to Maturity
15–30 tonnes/ha
Typical Yield
Moderate
Water Need
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Optimal Soil Types
pH Range: 6 – 7
Fertile, well-drained loamy soils with good organic matter. Both crops are heavy feeders and respond well to compost and manure.
Fertilizer: 2 Nutrich earthworm poop tea 16 Nutrich vermicompost 5 Nutrich vermifoliar
Optimal Temp: 15–25°C
Rainfall: 300–900mm/year
Climate Zones
Apply 25–30mm per week via drip or furrow. Consistent moisture gives bigger, more succulent leaves.
23°C
clear sky
Bulawayo
32%
Humidity
24
km/h Wind
23–23°C
Min / Max Today
5-Day Forecast
Fri
23°
23°
Sat
34°
16°
Sun
37°
18°
Mon
40°
19°
Tue
38°
22°
Rape / Covo optimal climate: Temp: 15–25°C°C · Rainfall: 300–900mm/yr
Planting Months
Harvesting Months
Planting Depth: Transplanted seedlings (3–4 week nursery)
Spacing: 50cm × 40cm (Rape) or 60cm × 45cm (Covo)
Material: Seedlings
Provinces
Natural Regions
Symptoms: Window-pane feeding, skeletonised leaves
Management: Bt or spinosad spray; rotate insecticides to prevent resistance
Symptoms: Grey-white colonies on leaves, deformed growth
Management: Dimethoate spray; natural predators
Symptoms: Seedlings cut at soil level, plant death
Management: Cypermethrin soil spray; bait pellets at transplanting
Symptoms: V-shaped yellow lesion from leaf margin, blackened veins
Management: Copper bactericide; disease-free transplants; 3-year crop rotation
Symptoms: Yellow patches on upper leaf, grey mould below
Management: Metalaxyl + mancozeb spray; improve air circulation
Symptoms: Swollen distorted roots, wilting, stunted growth
Management: Lime soil to pH 7.0; long rotation; avoid infected transplants
Governed Product Guidance
Crop-specific product selection, application rates, mixing, timing and treatment guidance for Rape / Covo are available only through ZEF's governed production-agronomy workflow after country readiness and product/regulatory approval.
Fresh relish vegetable for domestic market (most widely consumed vegetable in Zimbabwe), informal market trading
Export Potential:
Cultivation Guide
Step-by-step guide tailored to Rape / Covo in Zimbabwe
Related Crops
Crops suited to similar climate zones or soil types as Rape / Covo
Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
Guava
Psidium guajava
Swiss Chard
Beta vulgaris var. cicla
Amaranth
Amaranthus hybridus
Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Zucchini / Baby Marrow
Cucurbita pepo
Farmer Reviews & Ratings
No reviews yet
Be the first farmer to share your experience with Rape / Covo