When is it too late to plant Brassicas?

[Bowhunter]

I know I'm late to get to plant my brassicas, but when is it too late to plant them when rotating your LC mix from cereal grains to the brassicas?

I know you should plant them 60-90 days before a killing frost, or late July, but I didn't seem to find the time to get it done. Am I safe to plant them now and have some success with them doing well, or am I better off going another route?

 

[Mo-Ape]

You should still get decent tonnage up top (depending upon rain), but will probably be lacking in root size. I've planted on Labor Day and had a great plot, but had an Indian summer with consistent moisture.


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[Jason Broom]

I'm not sure if "Mo-Ape" means Missouri, but NY is definitely New York, and it's too late to plant brassicas that far North. I mean, you could plant some radish or maybe rape, as part of a more diverse fall mix, but you're probably 45 days later than ideal to get actual bulb production.

Split your plot in half; put a brassica mix in one side and a cereal/legume mix in the other. Monitor usage for the next 6 months and then you'll know for yourself whether or not planting a straight brassica mix this late in the year is worth it. For me, I don't like seeing bare dirt, and that's probably what you'll have from a brassica plot, starting about a week after your first frost.

 

[MarkDarvin]

If you can source your seed cheaply enough, I'd still plant. I straddle zones 3 and 4. Last few years we've gotten to early November before we've had a brassica killing frost. It takes a much harder freeze to kill brassicas. If you're going to have $10-20 into trying, get it out there.

 

[CTM1]

Like others have said I think it is a little late to get them anywhere near their true potential and I say that from experience, but I'd do it anyway, in fact I planted PTT, RADISH and RAPE just yesterday on a couple of plots next to the house. Of course I incorporate rye as a back up as well as red and white clover for next year.

I tilled this plot Aug 26th 09, planted Sept 1 with some BOB brassica mix and this picture was taken Oct 1.

 

[Elkaddict]

If the seed is on hand, get it in the ground for a little variety. It won't provide late winter nutrition but I'd get it planted. I'm actually over seeding thin areas today.