Dwarf Essex Rape is an economical, high-yielding cool-season brassica that establishes rapidly and produces dense, tender leafy foliage. Highly tolerant of cold temperatures, it continues growing late into the fall. Like turnips and radishes, its sugar content spikes sharply following a hard frost, making it an irresistible late-season draw for deer while withstanding heavy grazing pressure.
Key Specifications
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Crop Type: Cool-season brassica
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Primary Attraction: High-protein leafy forage (15–20% crude protein) available through late fall and winter
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Growth Habit: Fast-growing, dense leafy canopy that suppresses weeds
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Planting Depth: 1/4 to 1/2 inch
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Soil pH Range: 5.8 – 7.0
Broadcast Seeding Rates
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Monoculture (Pure Stand): 8–10 lbs per acre
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Mixes (Blended with turnips, radishes, clovers, or cereal rye): 2–4 lbs per acre