Brassicas ·Growing Guide
Brassica Blend
Brassica spp. (multiple species blend)
Brassica BlendBrassicasSeed MixLow Maintenance
Four brassica species in one bag—each contributing different root architecture, maturity timing, and cold tolerance for the most complete brassica planting possible. Rape provides fast high-protein regrowth. Turnip adds energy-dense bulbs. Kale extends grazing into deep winter. Radish breaks compaction at 12-24 inches. Together they cr...
Shop Wicked Tuff Turf →Overview
About Brassica Blend
The Wicked Tuff Turf Brassica Blend combines four species to deliver complementary benefits across the fall and winter grazing season:
Rape (35%): First to graze at 60-80 days. High protein (18-25% CP). Regrows after grazing for multiple rotations. Moderate cold tolerance.
Turnip (25%): Dual-purpose tops and bulbs at 60-90 days. Bulbs sweeten after frost. Energy-rich root storage for late-season grazing.
Kale (20%): Slowest to mature (90-120 days) but the most cold-hardy. Continues providing forage after frost kills rape and turnip tops. The last brassica standing.
Radish (20%): Breaks compaction to 12-24 inches. Winter-kills and decomposes, leaving drainage channels. Nitrogen scavenging adds soil health value.
The progressive maturity creates a natural grazing sequence: Rape first, then turnip tops and bulbs, then kale persists into winter. Meanwhile, radish works underground improving soil structure. This diversity reduces risk—if one species underperforms due to weather or pest pressure, the others compensate.
Rape (35%): First to graze at 60-80 days. High protein (18-25% CP). Regrows after grazing for multiple rotations. Moderate cold tolerance.
Turnip (25%): Dual-purpose tops and bulbs at 60-90 days. Bulbs sweeten after frost. Energy-rich root storage for late-season grazing.
Kale (20%): Slowest to mature (90-120 days) but the most cold-hardy. Continues providing forage after frost kills rape and turnip tops. The last brassica standing.
Radish (20%): Breaks compaction to 12-24 inches. Winter-kills and decomposes, leaving drainage channels. Nitrogen scavenging adds soil health value.
The progressive maturity creates a natural grazing sequence: Rape first, then turnip tops and bulbs, then kale persists into winter. Meanwhile, radish works underground improving soil structure. This diversity reduces risk—if one species underperforms due to weather or pest pressure, the others compensate.
Fit
Where It Shines
Best for
- Complete fall/winter brassica food plots
- Livestock grazing with extended season
- Deer food plots with multi-species attraction
- Soil health improvement (multiple root architectures)
- Risk reduction through species diversity
- Farms wanting brassica benefits without choosing a single species
- Cover crop programs combining forage and soil benefits
Not ideal for
- Lawns or turf
- Maximum yield of any single species (pure stands yield more individually)
- Biofumigation (pure mustard is more effective)
- Spring planting (radish component bolts)
- Permanent cover (all components are annual)
From Seed to Stand
Establishment & Growth
Germination
Days 3-5: Radish and turnip emerge first (fastest germinating). Days 5-7: Rape appears. Days 7-10: Kale seedlings visible. Staggered emergence provides continuous ground coverage from day 3 onward.
Growth Habit
Multi-species annual blend. Provides diversity of root types (bulb, deep taproot, fibrous), growth habits (tall kale, spreading turnip, upright rape), and maturity dates (turnip earliest, kale latest).
Establishment Timeline
Emergence: 3-7 days (staggered). Grazeable: 60-80 days. Full maturity: 90-150 days (kale last). Extended grazing season through progressive winter-kill.
What’s in the mix: Forage Rape (Dwarf Essex) 35%|Purple Top Turnip 25%|Forage Kale 20%|Tillage Radish 20%
Rates & Care
Seeding & Maintenance
| Seeding rate (new) | 5-8 lbs per acre total blend; 0.15-0.2 lbs per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Overseeding rate | Not typically overseeded |
| Soil temp to germinate | 40-45°F |
| Mowing height | Not mowed; graze rotationally or allow winter-kill |
| Minimum mow height | Not applicable |
| First mow | Graze when tallest components reach 14-18 inches |
| Soil pH | 5.5-7.5 |
| Soil preference | Adaptable. The multi-species approach means at least some components thrive in any soil condition. Performs best on fertile, well-drained loam. |
| Nitrogen needs | 60-100 lbs N per acre (brassicas are heavy nitrogen users) |
Conditions
Tolerances
SunFull sun (6-8+ hours)
ShadePoor
DroughtModerate
TrafficLow
ColdGood (kale component persists longest; turnip and radish winter-kill first)
HeatModerate (best as fall crop)
Hardiness ZonesAnnual in all zones
Step by Step
How to Sow
1
Step 1: Prep
Plant 90-120 days before frost; apply 60-100 lbs N
2
Step 2: Fertilize
Scout for flea beetles at emergence
3
Step 3: Sow
Broadcast at 5-8 lbs per acre
4
Step 4: Contact
Lightly incorporate or press into surface
5
Step 5: Water
Water if dry
6
Step 6: Mow/Establish
Graze progressively (Rape, then Turnip, then Kale)
Feeding & Timing
Fertilizing & Season
Fertilizer Recommendation
Apply 60-100 lbs N per acre at planting. The nitrogen benefits all four brassica species. Phosphorus and potassium based on soil test. Recommended: Wicked Growth balanced formula at planting.
Find the right Wicked fertilizer →Seasonal Planting
Late summer planting (July-August) is ideal for northern zones—provides 90-120+ days before hard freeze. Earlier planting (July) gives kale component time to reach full potential. August planting sacrifices some kale yield but still delivers good rape and turnip forage.
In Context
How It Compares
Brassica Blend vs. Pure Turnip: Blend provides longer grazing season and soil structure benefits; Pure turnip maximizes bulb production. Blend vs. Pure Kale: Blend provides earlier grazing (rape component) while kale provides maximum late-season yield. Blend vs. Individual brassica: Blend reduces risk and provides diversity; individual species maximize specific trait. Choose the blend when you want comprehensive brassica benefits without managing multiple plantings.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a brassica blend and what species are typically included?
A brassica blend combines multiple brassica species—typically turnip, rape, kale, and radish—into a single planting mix. Blending provides species diversity that a single brassica cannot: turnips offer root energy and fast maturity, rape provides leafy regrowth, kale delivers maximum cold hardiness and late-season forage, and radish breaks compaction. Blends also spread grazing preference across species, reducing the risk of selective overgrazing that damages single-species stands.
When should I plant a brassica blend?
Plant brassica blends in late summer (mid-July through mid-August in zones 4-6, or August-September in zones 7-8) for fall and winter forage. This timing allows 60-90 days of growth before hard frost. The different maturity rates of blended species create a staggered grazing sequence: radish and turnip tops are ready first (45-60 days), rape reaches grazing height next (60-80 days), and kale matures last (90-120 days), extending the grazing window.
What is the seeding rate for a brassica blend?
Seed brassica blends at 5-8 lbs per acre broadcast, or 3-5 lbs per acre drilled. For food plots, use 5-6 lbs per acre. For small areas, approximately 0.1-0.2 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. Since blends contain multiple species with different seed sizes, mix thoroughly before planting and calibrate seeding equipment carefully. Plant 0.25-0.5 inches deep on a firm seedbed. Pre-mixed blends are designed for broadcast seeding at a single rate.
Are brassica blends good for deer food plots?
Yes—brassica blends are among the most popular and effective deer food plot plantings. Deer preference shifts through the season: they browse leafy tops (rape, kale, turnip greens) first in early fall, then switch to turnip bulbs after hard frost sweetens them. A multi-species brassica blend provides diverse nutrition and extended attractiveness from September through January. Research shows deer food plots with brassica blends have higher visitation rates than single-species plantings.
What nutrients do brassica blends need?
Brassica blends are moderate to heavy feeders requiring 60-100 lbs nitrogen, 30-50 lbs phosphorus (P2O5), and 60-100 lbs potassium (K2O) per acre. Soil pH of 5.8-7.0 is preferred. Boron is critical for all brassicas—apply 1-2 lbs per acre on deficient soils to prevent hollow stems and brown-hearted turnip roots. A soil test before planting is strongly recommended. Brassicas do not fix nitrogen, so adequate nitrogen fertilization at planting or split-applied drives yield.
Can you plant brassicas with clover or other legumes?
Yes—brassica-legume mixes are highly effective. Adding red clover, crimson clover, or winter peas to a brassica blend provides nitrogen fixation that sustains the planting and reduces fertilizer needs. Clover also fills in at ground level, providing erosion protection and ground cover that brassicas alone cannot. A common combination is brassica blend (5 lbs/acre) + red clover (4 lbs/acre) + annual ryegrass (5 lbs/acre) for a diverse fall cover crop and forage system.
How long do brassica blends provide forage?
A well-planned brassica blend provides 60-120 days of forage depending on climate zone and species composition. In zones 5-7, a late-July planting provides grazing from late September through December or January. The sequential maturity of blended species extends the window: turnips and radish are grazed first, rape provides mid-season forage, and cold-hardy kale delivers the last grazing into early winter. Total fresh biomass production ranges from 4-8 tons per acre.
