Brassicas, a family of plants that includes turnips, kale, and forage rape, have become a widely utilized choice for late-season deer food plots. These annual forages offer high protein and energy, providing a much-needed food source when other vegetation becomes dormant. Establishing a thriving brassica plot requires careful attention to timing, soil preparation, and planting technique. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to successfully planting these popular, cold-tolerant plants.
Selecting the Right Varieties and Planting Timing
A successful brassica plot often begins with selecting the right blend of varieties to ensure continuous forage availability. Turnips, such as Purple Top, provide both leafy forage and a root bulb that deer will consume later in the winter. Forage rape grows quickly and produces substantial leafy biomass, making it an excellent component for early attraction. Kale is known for its extreme cold tolerance, often remaining green and palatable well into the coldest months.
The timing of planting is directly tied to the average date of the first hard freeze in your region. Brassicas require approximately 45 to 50 days of growth to produce sufficient biomass before the onset of heavy frost. Planting too early can cause the plants to mature and become less palatable before the hunting season begins. In Northern latitudes, this window typically falls between late July and early August, while Southern states may wait until September or October.
Preparing the Plot and Soil Foundation
Proper site selection involves choosing an area that receives a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day and features well-drained soil. Brassicas will not perform well in heavy clay soils or areas prone to standing water, as these conditions inhibit root development. A soil test is the most important first step, as it provides the blueprint for necessary soil amendments.
Brassicas are heavy feeders and require a soil pH near neutral, ideally between 6.0 and 6.8, for optimal nutrient uptake. If the soil test indicates high acidity, agricultural lime should be applied several months before planting to allow time for the chemical reaction to occur. Neglecting this pH adjustment will severely limit the effectiveness of any applied fertilizer. These plants have high requirements for Nitrogen and Phosphorus to support their rapid growth and high production of leaf matter.
Based on soil test results, a complete fertilizer, such as a 19-19-19 blend, should be incorporated into the soil during seedbed preparation. A subsequent application of a high-nitrogen fertilizer, like Urea (46-0-0), may be necessary three to four weeks after germination to boost tonnage. Applying the initial fertilizer and lime well in advance of the seeding date ensures the nutrients are available when the seedlings begin to grow.
Seeding Depth and Density for Optimal Growth
The physical act of planting requires precision because brassica seeds are minuscule and easily planted too deep. The target seeding depth is very shallow, generally between 1/8 and 1/4 inch of soil cover. Planting seeds any deeper than a half-inch can prevent germination entirely, leading to plot failure.
Broadcasting the seed is a common and effective planting method for brassicas. After broadcasting, the seed must be lightly covered and pressed into a firm seedbed to ensure excellent seed-to-soil contact. Using a cultipacker or a heavy roller is recommended for this process, as it firms the soil around the seed without burying it too deeply.
Seeding density is another factor where less is often more, particularly for bulb-producing varieties like turnips. Over-seeding leads to crowding, which stunts the growth of individual plants and prevents the formation of large root bulbs. A typical seeding rate for brassicas when planted alone is around 2 to 3 pounds per acre, but this should be adjusted downward if mixing with other forage types. Proper spacing allows each plant to maximize its leafy canopy and root development, resulting in higher overall forage yield.
Management and Palatability After Planting
Once the seeds have germinated, the primary post-planting management concern is controlling competing weeds. Brassicas grow quickly and can shade out many weeds once the plants establish a canopy, but initial weed pressure can be detrimental. If grassy weeds become an issue, a selective grass herbicide, such as one containing Clethodim, can be applied to eliminate the competition without harming the brassica plants.
Brassica varieties generally reach maturity in 60 to 90 days, but the timing of deer consumption often aligns with the arrival of cold weather. A common observation is that palatability increases significantly following a hard frost. This phenomenon is attributed to the biological process where the plant converts stored starches in the leaves and bulbs into sugars to prevent freezing, effectively sweetening the forage.
Deer typically begin heavily utilizing the brassica plot in the late fall and winter. This waiting period allows the plants to reach maximum size and nutrient density, providing the high-energy food source the deer need during the cold season. The leaves and bulbs provide a sustained food source, holding deer on the property long after other annuals have died back.