Brassicas: Favorite Late Summer-Fall Food Plot Planting

Timing Is Everything

Aim to sow brassicas including kale, turnips, radishes, rape, and forage-friendly hybrids in late summer through early fall. In northern areas, target late July to early August; for mid-latitudes, late August to September works best. In the South, you can plant through October. To optimize leaf growth before frost, sow roughly 45-50 days before your average first frost date.

Why Brassicas Work So Well

• Highly Nutritious & Widely Preferred: Boasting protein levels often above 30%, brassicas become even more appealing to deer once frost converts plant starches to sugar.
• Long-Lasting Forage: Many varieties produce edible bulbs (like turnips and radishes) that deer will dig up and feed on throughout winter.
• Soil Benefits: Their deep roots help break up compacted soil and return organic matter after frost kill, providing a nutrient boost for future plantings.

Smart Planting Practices

1. Prepare the Seedbed Well: Clear out existing vegetation with light tillage or herbicide. Add lime or fertilizer based on soil testingor use a general-purpose 19-19-19 blend if you're unsure.
2. Seed & Cover Properly: Broadcast seed and lightly cover with 1/8-1/4 inch of soil. Firm the seed into place using a cultipacker or by driving over the plot with an ATV.
3. Avoid Overseeding: Give bulb-producing brassicas room to develop fully seeding too densely hampers bulb size and reduces root mass.
4. Rotate Annually: Avoid disease and soil fatigue by not replanting brassicas in the same plot for more than two consecutive years.

Top Brassica Seed Picks Available Now

• AniLogics Crush Pro Brassica Food Plot Blend: A versatile annual blend mixing brassicas, turnips, clovers, and grainsgreat for attracting deer and sustaining fall forage.
• Proven Pure Plots Hy Brassica: A fast-growing hybrid ideal for multiple grazing cycles, providing regrowth and extended forage life.
• Big Tine Main Event Premium Brassica Food Plot Mix: A rich mix with turnips, kale, rape, and more, designed to stay green and nourishing through colder months.
• Rakk Fuel CheckMate All-Brassica Blend: A leafy, cold-hardy mix that delivers high protein and rapid germination for late summer and fall planting.

Tips for Extended Plot Life

• Include Multi-Graze Varieties: Hybrid brassicas like those in Proven Pure and AniLogics blends encourage regrowth after grazing, helping plots last longer.
• Pair with Clover or Grains: Adding annual clovers or winter grains can improve soil nutrients and offer additional forage well into the late season.

Final Takeaway

Brassicas offer unmatched value for fall food plots through their nutritional pull, soil-building characteristics, and winter grazing longevity. By combining expert timing, proper soil preparation, and high-quality seed blends, you'll create a thriving, wildlife-attracting plot that performs all season long.