DESCRIPTION
Downloadable Free Cover Crop Growing Guide
-->
Growing Non-GMO Dwarf Essex Rapeseed Canola Seeds
Broadcast this seed at a rate of 8-14 lb./acre or drill at 5-10 lb./acre. Scatter or broadcast the seed at the recommended rate and lightly rake in or plant at 0.5-0.75 inches deep. Water the seeds heavily at planting and regularly throughout their life if natural rainfall is insufficient. It prefers a soil pH of 5.5-8.3. Most climates will plant in the late summer for a springtime termination. It may be planted in the summer in colder zones if desired. It might be winter-killed in some climates but typically persists into the spring. Do not use it in a crop rotation with any other Brassicas. Doing so may allow pests to persist from year to year. Instead, rotate between crop families, including cover crops.
Once at maturity, this crop can be harvested for forage or can be grazed on in the field. For pasture use, we recommend growing for 6-8 weeks. To terminate this cover crop, we encourage organic methods like winter-killing, crimping, or tilling to be used. Do not allow this crop to go to seed, or else you will have a canola weed problem the following year. It is recommended to wait about two to three weeks before planting a cash crop or garden after terminating a cover crop.
Benefits of the Dwarf Essex Rapeseed Canola
Dwarf Essex Rapeseed is an ideal forage crop due to its high protein and energy content and is extremely palatable for livestock. It is the perfect winter grazing plant but can also be plowed in the springtime instead to increase organic matter. Organic matter can help retain moisture in soils, improve soil drainage, and improve nutrient delivery.
About the Dwarf Essex Rapeseed Canola Mix Seeds
Use this mix to preserve and improve the soil health of your garden or field during the winter between crops. It may also be used as feed for appropriate animals.
This mix can be terminated at any time before flowering. The plant matter can be used as forage at any point.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"This multifunctional and versatile crop is ideal in many situations. Those wishing to reduce rotation, feed cattle, increase organic matter in a field, reduce soil compaction, and disrupt pest cycles will all find that this crop is one of the best!"
- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer
|
Other Resources
No-Till Dwarf Essex Rapeseed Canola Seed Coverage:
- 4 g - Bulk Seeds - About 536 Seeds - Covers Approximately 50 square feet
- 1 oz - Bulk Seeds - About 13,400 Seeds - Covers Approximately 300-500 square feet
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - About 53,600 Seeds - Covers Approximately 1,000 square feet
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - About 214,400 Seeds - Covers Approximately 3,000 square feet
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - About 1,072,000 Seeds - Covers Approximately 15,000 square feet
- 25 lb - Bulk Seeds - About 5,360,000 Seeds - Covers Approximately 75,000 square feet
Non-GMO Dwarf Essex Rapeseed Canola seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
ATTRIBUTES
Basic Info
| Latin Name: |
Brassica napus ‘Dwarf Essex’
|
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: |
Annual - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10; winter-kills in zones 5 and colder |
| Days to Maturity: |
40-60 |
| Days to Germination: |
5-7 |
| Seeding Depth: |
0.5-0.75 inches |
| Plant Spacing: |
Broadcast, lightly rake into soil |
| Row Spacing: |
N/A |
| Plant Height: |
24-48 inches |
| Growth Habit: |
Upright |
| Temperature Preference: |
45-75 F |
| Light Preference: |
Full Sun |
Other
| Plant Width: |
20-40 inches |
| Cover Crop Mix Soil Benefits: |
Cover cropping, in general, prevents soil erosion and improves soil quality so that your cash crop can thrive to its full potential. It improves the mycelial network present in any healthy soil and the overall soil compaction and texture. Instead of letting your fields lie fallow, cover crop them to preserve the precious soil for the next planting season. |
| Pests and Diseases: |
Cover crops prevent pest issues by encouraging predator bugs or beneficial insects (the ones that kill the bugs that eat or otherwise harm your crop). This can interrupt the life cycles of pests that could decimate your preferred crop. Cover crops also suppress weeds and prevent them from getting out of hand. The biodiversity that cover crops supply also helps to disrupt pest life cycles and ultimately limit the number of pests that will feed on your crops. |