Brassica/radish plant date?

[Prelude8626]

Looking to plant a mix of turnips and radishes in a couple plots this year. I am In southern Maine (zone 5) and over seeding into clover. When would be the best time to seed? I know the commercial seeds say July 15-August 1st but would prefer actually advice from people who have planted.

 

[Jon]

You are probably looking at a 70-90 day maturity rate on turnips they will grow well up to a frost so I’d use that as my threshold for a planting date. I would caution you throwing them into a clover plot that is dense. I have never done that because clover density will work against germination. However you may try an option of spraying your clover with gly and doing a throw and grow before the rain. A lot depends on your soil moisture. I have thrown, rained then cultipacked after the rain. The clover will come back after a light dose of gly. Just some ideas.


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[Mennoniteman]

I'm not in Maine, but my experience is plant earlier than what it says on the bag. Better growth lasts much longer into the fall and winter. Watching for rain to plant can be key in dryer areas.

 

[Elkaddict]

If you’re just overseeding into existing clover (an unprepared seed bed) I would plant this next week as germination seems to take longer. I’d also seed heavier than normal if the clover is thick, and pack it has best you can to get good soil contact. FYI, I like the 3rd week of July for radishes/turnips (in a prepared seed bed) as the forage is less likely to turn early and you’ll still get ample bulb growth. I’d also get some urea spread pretty heavy just before a substantial rain storm. It really jumps growth. FYI, I’m in zone 5a.

 

[Gator]

I’m contemplating planting way earlier than normal just to see what happens. My biggest reason is rain is scarce more often than not if I wait to Sept to plant (which is what is recommended for my area)


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[tcook8296]

Im in New Jersey and I usually plant my brassicas in the middle of August.
I found if I plant them earlier, I end up with rotting turnips and radishes in January.

 

[dogghr]

Plant now that far north. As Elk said no till is a little slower. I plant last wk of July and was actually going plant this wkend but our summer/fall drought has begun so I’ll wait a wk or 2. That is advantage of planting into thatch is the moisture control you have. Good luck.


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[LetThemGrow]

Im in New Jersey and I usually plant my brassicas in the middle of August.
I found if I plant them earlier, I end up with rotting turnips and radishes in January.

I’m confused on correlation between plant date and lack of usage by deer?

 

[Chainsaw]

August planting works here But July 15 is far better. Larger turnips are the result and all of them get eaten before spring large or small.

 

[BoneCrusher20]

I'm in zone 4 and been planting 2nd week of August for many years and think I get plenty of growth on turnips/brassicas. I've tried July plantings and seems I'm fighting weeds/hot weather. IMO about 1 month after planting is when plants are most desired by deer, could be in my head though. Here's snapshot of 8/8 planting, 9/2 & 10/6

turnips got to be about small apples which for me is plenty of growth. Unless it is soybeans I don't get any daylight bucks past 11/1 on food just too much pressure here, I need deer on food early so I also am not overly concerned about huge turnips for late season.


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[tcook8296]

I’m confused on correlation between plant date and lack of usage by deer?

No lack of deer usage. I plant several acres every year, our seasons are long in Nj, I like to have bulbs through Jan and Feb. Once they start softening up, my deer are done with them.
Planting in August instead of July , I am still getting plenty of growth.
A warm wet fall, the turnips will start rotting late December

 

[MarkDarvin]

Know your frost dates and work backwards from there. 12 to 13 weeks at the earliest. Wouldn't go much later than 6 weeks before first frost. Some that go early can get problem with bugs eating up their leaves.

 

[Elkaddict]

Know your frost dates and work backwards from there. 12 to 13 weeks at the earliest. Wouldn't go much later than 6 weeks before first frost. Some that go early can get problem with bugs eating up their leaves.

Not all brassicas have the same maturity rate. I agree with your timeline for some...but not all.

 

[MarkDarvin]

Not all brassicas have the same maturity rate. I agree with your timeline for some...but not all.

Agreed. Even my spring plantings are done with frost dates in mind. Whether it's pumpkins, beans, cereals, brassicas, anything. Knowing when the heat goes off or the growth stops is important. I think it's most important with oats.

 

[Letmgrow]

We just planted our Evolved Harvest "Shot Plot" this week. We've been in a drought but finally have had some rain. We've had the best success planting toward the end of July or early August so we have a minimum of 45 days before the first frost. Generally we have a week or two after the 45 days before we get a hard frost.
We don't plant turnips to hunt over but the turnips provide food in late February through mid or late March. It's not unusual to see where deer have dug through two or more feet of snow to get to the turnips. They stink but the deer like them. When the snow disappears the plots look like a blown up mine field.
I'm in northern NY State
Lynn

 

[Elkaddict]

These were planted the last week of June. In middle of the plot, they’re approaching knee high. Deer are already hammering them. A longer maturing plant really adds tonnage.

 

[Mennoniteman]

These were planted the View attachment 19554 last week of June. In middle of the plot, they’re approaching knee high. Deer are already hammering them. A longer maturing plant really adds tonnage.

I discovered the huge potential of June planted brassicas a few years ago. What kinds do you have here?

 

[Elkaddict]

Winfred and Rutabagas. Rutabagas will be bigger than softballs and Winfred will grow thigh high. Serious tonnage. The plots will be eaten to the ground.

 

[coolbrze0]

Nice looking plots fellas!

 

[bowhunt160bucks]

25th of July hot or dry