eclipseman
5 year old buck +
All,
last year I grew some Big n Beasty...it was a bitter sweet year as far as that plot went. The Big N Beasty grew well but then yellowed right before the season. I fertilized as recommended (maybe even a little extra) and then planted the brassica blend. I did not need lime per my soil test. I planted in my plot in NY around August 8th of last year. Everything appeared to grow fantastic. The turnips were at least baseball size if not softball sized and larger. The Rape grew tall and the radish grew the size of bananas. To my surprise the deer were actually eating the leafy bits well before a first frost in early September. However, that is where the good story ends. Many parts of the plot started yellowing at the end of September. Bow season starts in October 1st. By the middle of October most everything was yellow and heading towards being brown. I have a list of questions I'm hoping you all can address:
1. do you suspect that the plot was simply finished growing and that is why it was dying OR do you think I should have thrown some nitrogen fertilizer in after the first 4 weeks of growth (ive heard this helps)? I heard this blend is a 60 day blend so maybe early august was too early even though middle July was the actual recommended planting date for my area.
2. What is your technique for planting brassicas and how do you apply your fertilizer (example...throw all fertilizer before planting....throw the fertilizer in stages?)
3. What are your favorite brassica blends? I know the bags with the deer on them are over priced but my local coop typically only has PPT and Rape. I like a variety and even may try throwing some kale in the mix this year.
4. any other thoughts?
last year I grew some Big n Beasty...it was a bitter sweet year as far as that plot went. The Big N Beasty grew well but then yellowed right before the season. I fertilized as recommended (maybe even a little extra) and then planted the brassica blend. I did not need lime per my soil test. I planted in my plot in NY around August 8th of last year. Everything appeared to grow fantastic. The turnips were at least baseball size if not softball sized and larger. The Rape grew tall and the radish grew the size of bananas. To my surprise the deer were actually eating the leafy bits well before a first frost in early September. However, that is where the good story ends. Many parts of the plot started yellowing at the end of September. Bow season starts in October 1st. By the middle of October most everything was yellow and heading towards being brown. I have a list of questions I'm hoping you all can address:
1. do you suspect that the plot was simply finished growing and that is why it was dying OR do you think I should have thrown some nitrogen fertilizer in after the first 4 weeks of growth (ive heard this helps)? I heard this blend is a 60 day blend so maybe early august was too early even though middle July was the actual recommended planting date for my area.
2. What is your technique for planting brassicas and how do you apply your fertilizer (example...throw all fertilizer before planting....throw the fertilizer in stages?)
3. What are your favorite brassica blends? I know the bags with the deer on them are over priced but my local coop typically only has PPT and Rape. I like a variety and even may try throwing some kale in the mix this year.
4. any other thoughts?