There are three main cropping seasons in Bangladesh: Rabi, Kharif-I, and Kharif-II. Kharif-I and Kharif-II are known as the summer season, spanning from mid-March to mid-November. The Rabi season, also known as the winter season, spans from mid-November to mid-March. Listed below are some major crops in Bangladesh that grow in winter.
1. Carrot
Favorable temperature: 16–21°C
The growing period for carrots in Bangladesh is from mid-September to mid-December. However, some local varieties (Desi) are sown from August to September. They can tolerate some shade but grow best in full sunlight.
2. Beet
Favorable temperature: 10-24°C
Beetroot grows best in cool weather, well-drained, fertile soil. The soil should be loamy, sandy, and moist. A neutral pH is ideal for beetroot. Early spring to late fall is the best season for growing.
3. Cabbage
Favorable temperature: 18-35°C
For cultivating cabbage, avoid the hottest and coldest months. Depending on the climate zone, it should be planted in early spring. Cabbage prefers sunny weather and well-drained soil.
4. Cauliflower
Favorable temperature: 21-29°C
It also prefers sunlight. The sowing season for cauliflower is from March to May. The soil should be fertile, well-drained, and have a high moisture-holding capacity.
5. Brinjal
Favorable temperature: 13-21°C
Brinjal can grow in all types of soil, but it thrives best in loamy, well-drained soil. It can be harvested 80–85 days after sowing and can be harvested for up to three years.
6. Tomato
Favorable temperature: 20-25°C
Tomatoes grow well in fertile, well-drained soil. Loamy soil is ideal for tomatoes. They thrive in sunshine and require at least 8 hours of sunlight per day for better production.
7. Leaf Lettuce
Favorable temperature: 20-30°C
It can be grown in many types of soil, but it grows best in loam to clay loam soil. The soil should have a good drainage system and water-logging conditions should be avoided to prevent root rot. It thrives in light shade but can also grow in full sun.
8. Turnip
Favorable temperature: 8-28°C
Turnips are grown in well-drained, moist, and fertile soil. Since they are root-based crops, loose soil should be selected. Turnips should be planted in the fall or spring season.
9. Radish
Favorable temperature: 10-24°C
Radish is a winter-growing vegetable. It grows from October to March and prefers full sunlight. Fertile, well-drained, sandy, and sandy loamy soil are ideal for radish cultivation.
10. French bean
Favorable temperature: 19-27°C
French beans are best sown from mid-October to mid-November. Beans also like full sunlight. Loamy soil, rich in organic matter, is ideal for their growth.
11. Spinach
Favorable temperature: 10-15°C
Although it likes full sun, spinach can tolerate partial shade. The soil should be fertile and well-drained. Loamy soil is best for spinach production. It is sown in winter from September to October and in spring from mid-February to April.
