Brassicas, including turnips, radishes, rape, and kale, are high-energy, late-season food sources in food plots. These annual forages offer substantial biomass that sustains deer when natural food sources become scarce in late fall and winter. The success of a brassica plot depends almost entirely on selecting the correct planting date. Precise timing ensures the plants reach maximum growth potential as colder months begin, offering optimal nutrition and attraction for whitetails.
Understanding the Critical Planting Window
The general principle for planting brassicas is to allow sufficient time for full growth without premature maturation. Brassicas typically require a growth period of 60 to 90 days to develop substantial leaf structure and root mass. This growth window must be calculated backward from the average date of the first hard frost in a specific geographic location. Planting too early can expose young plants to prolonged heat and drought, often causing them to bolt or prematurely flower, which reduces palatability.
Conversely, sowing seed too late results in small, underdeveloped plants that cannot produce the necessary tonnage for late-season forage. Utilizing historical weather data to pinpoint the average first hard frost is the most reliable method for determining the latest effective planting date. The ideal window closes about 10 to 12 weeks before this anticipated date to guarantee a mature, robust plot.
Regional Adjustments to Planting Dates
Timing the growth cycle to the first frost results in varied planting dates across climate zones. Northern regions, such as the upper Midwest and Canada, have a shorter growing season and require planting between mid-July and early August. This earlier schedule ensures plants are well-established before the rapid onset of fall temperatures. The primary limiting factor in these areas is often high summer heat and lack of moisture for germination.
Moving south into the transitional zone, planting windows shift to mid-August, extending into early September. Southern states, where the first frost occurs much later, can wait until late August through mid-September, or sometimes into October in the Deep South. Southern planting must balance adequate growth time with avoiding intense, prolonged heat stress that can cause young seedlings to struggle.
Essential Soil Preparation Before Planting
The success of the planting date relies heavily on the condition of the soil, which must be prepared well in advance. A soil test is the first step to determine the existing pH level and macronutrient concentration. Brassicas thrive in a soil pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Lime should be applied several months before planting to correct acidity, as it requires time to alter the soil chemistry and ensure nutrient absorption.
Brassicas are heavy feeders, requiring high levels of nitrogen for maximum leaf and bulb production. Initial fertilization involves a balanced application of phosphorus and potassium, such as a 19-19-19 formula, at planting time to support early growth. A subsequent, heavier application of a high-nitrogen fertilizer, like urea (46-0-0), is broadcasted three to four weeks after germination when the plants are established.
Effective weed suppression is also necessary before planting. This usually involves a broad-spectrum herbicide application followed by tilling or disking to create a firm, smooth seedbed, ensuring strong seed-to-soil contact.
Maximizing Appeal: Maturation and Timing Deer Usage
The correct planting timing is designed to produce a fully mature brassica plot just before the deer herd begins heavy reliance. Deer browsing increases significantly following the first few frosts, often in late October or early November. This increased feeding pressure coincides with the conversion of starches into more digestible sugars. Cold temperatures prompt a biological change that makes the plants more palatable and attractive to whitetails seeking energy-rich food sources.
The high protein content of the leaves and the carbohydrate-dense taproots provide a dual-purpose source of nutrition invaluable in the post-rut period. Deer instinctually seek these high-energy foods to replenish fat reserves and prepare for winter. Therefore, the 60 to 90-day growth window before the first frost is necessary to ensure the maximum volume of forage is available for peak consumption.