Brassica choice

[steveR]

I am about to put in a overwintering B&B mix, (not SFI or CS) and want a brassica or two in the mixture on med loam land.

Needs to overwinter, and provide pollen and seed later Spring in the mix. Cannot be OSR and should not be massively dominant, albeit seed rate helps here.

Any suggestions please?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

What else is going in the mix
Do you want to graze it

 

[steveR]

What else is going in the mix
Do you want to graze it

Phacelia, triticale and possibly Crimson clover and anything knocking around in the seed container!

Not grazed, it is to produce early nectar and pollen, and then seeds. Only 5ha or so, as the other 15ha will be Spring and late Spring/early Summer sown to give a series of flowering plants.

 

[Muddyroads]

We grew kale for human consumption last year and left it to flower after we finished picking. It was in full bloom in early April. I would expect most kales to do the same.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Its getting late for kale though
there is a massive list of brassicas but need to be in soon
Forage Rape, Hybrid Kale, Mustard, Texel Greens , Stubble Turnips to name a few , will all produce a flower if the frost does not wipe them out first

 

[sheepdogtrail]

I am about to put in a overwintering B&B mix, (not SFI or CS) and want a brassica or two in the mixture on med loam land.

Needs to overwinter, and provide pollen and seed later Spring in the mix. Cannot be OSR and should not be massively dominant, albeit seed rate helps here.

Any suggestions please?

If you have a hand on your flea beetles consider Arugula.

 

[steveR]

Its getting late for kale though
there is a massive list of brassicas but need to be in soon
Forage Rape, Hybrid Kale, Mustard, Texel Greens , Stubble Turnips to name a few , will all produce a flower if the frost does not wipe them out first

That is the point Derrick, I want one that will overwinter and flower next year

 

[steveR]

If you have a hand on your flea beetles consider Arugula.

Not one I know... cheers.

 

[CORK]

I am about to put in a overwintering B&B mix, (not SFI or CS) and want a brassica or two in the mixture on med loam land.

Needs to overwinter, and provide pollen and seed later Spring in the mix. Cannot be OSR and should not be massively dominant, albeit seed rate helps here.

Any suggestions please?

Why do you want Brassica in the mix?

I’m of the opinion that unless you want to graze, brassica’s should be left out of cover crop mixes. Their presence increases the chances of building up Clubroot on land which nobody wants.

 

[Kidds]

Not one I know... cheers.

It is called rocket in UK.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

That is the point Derrick, I want one that will overwinter and flower next year

Problem is its getting late for the frost hardy stuff
If it was me i would stick a brassica mix on then you dont have all your eggs