Date Palm

Water

Rain is enough, even in a dry year.

Needs about 1,080 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 1,860 mm it can use in a normal year, and 1,410 mm in a dry year.

Heavy rain here can waterlog it. Grow it on raised beds or land that drains well.

Temperature

Grows best at 26–45 °C on average, and survives 10–52 °C.

Here, in its growing months (day / night):

• Jun 25 °C / 16 °C (outside its best range)
• Jul 25 °C / 17 °C (outside its best range)
• Aug 25 °C / 17 °C (outside its best range)
• Sep 24 °C / 16 °C (outside its best range)
• Oct 22 °C / 12 °C (outside its best range)
• Nov 18 °C / 6 °C (outside its best range)
• Dec 15 °C / 3 °C (outside its best range)
• Jan 13 °C / 1 °C (outside its best range)
• Feb 14 °C / 2 °C (outside its best range)
• Mar 17 °C / 5 °C (outside its best range)
• Apr 20 °C / 9 °C (outside its best range)
• May 23 °C / 13 °C (outside its best range)
• Jun 25 °C / 16 °C (outside its best range)

Months in orange are outside its best range.

Nights in November can bring frost. When frost is forecast, water the field lightly in the evening.

Soil

Soil for Date Palm: 7 out of 10 (okay).

• Soil here is often too acidic for it.
• Many fields here are short of potassium, which it needs a lot.
• Many fields here are short of zinc, which it needs a lot.
• Many fields here are short of boron, which it needs a lot.

Likes pH 6.5–8.0.

Money

Yield: about 31 quintals an acre, the typical figure across India (no figures for your state).

A new planting gives its first real harvest after about 5 years. The money here is for plants already bearing.

No mandi or support price for this crop yet.