I’ve had the same question twice today: Is it too late to plant brassicas blends or individual species? This comes after discussing this very question yesterday while visiting Stiker’s soybean test plots.
BTW, “brassicas” is a family of plants that include turnips, radish, beets, and other “oilseed” crops like rape and mustard. These are all high protein, and high-sugar plants, so in many places the deer love them and won’t leave them alone.
Here’s what I’ve been telling those who ask:
If you’re at the latitude of the Twin Cities or south: Plant on! You’ve got time. You may not get optimal size, but you’re fine as far as your chances of edible plants.
If your property is north of the Twin Cities, IMO you’ve got about a week and that’s IF you get good rain very soon after you plant. Basically, it’s marginal at best. You haven’t totally missed the boat if luck is on your side. But then again, if planting large acreage where input costs are significant, it is a gamble in most places north of the Twin Cities at this point.
I planted over 3 acres of my Brassicas Bender mix over a week ago and with seed, fertilizer, fuel, spray, and other costs, I have several hundred dollars in that plot alone. Like soybeans and corn, growing these glam high-protein crops is expensive.
It might be a better idea at this point to do a good job spraying your plots and plant a grain/clover mix instead of brassicas this year. Grain grows fast, deer love the tender young growth, and oats, rye, and red clover are highly attractive come fall. The added bonus is rye and clover will come back strong next spring.
Grouse
