What is the best brassica variety to plant? Most guys buy a bag of brassica mix that has turnips, sugar beets or radishes. If some of it grows well, then its good for attracting deer.
Conventional wisdom is that brassicas are not palatable until frost, but that is not true. its a matter of the hierarchy of what is available at the buffet you have for deer on your land.
If brassicas are the most nutrient dense food on the landscape at any particular time, they will eat it. When fall comes and you have freshly planted cool season plants available, like brassicas, they will be the most desirable plant.
I have found over the years that hybrid brassicas such as rape/kale or rape/turnip crosses seem to be more palatable and insect resistant. I find that turnips are the worst to plant in the spring. But, after Labor Day, it probably doesn't matter much what you plant, they are all attractive to deer.
The other things to consider, are the cold and browse tolerance. I find that kale and collards are the most cold tolerant. Collards are very tolerant to browsing and will sprout back from the root very well.
So, my favorite brassicas are hybrids and collards. Mixed with clover and cereal grains, they make a terrific fall attraction and forage for deer.
12 июл 2024
