Oilseed radish
Scientific Name: Raphanus sativus
Life Cycle: Cool Season Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 6.0-7.5 Min.
Germination Temp.:45F
Upright, cool-season annual that grows 12-18 inches tall. Has basal rosette of dissected leaves; purple, light purple, pink, or white flowers; and a deep taproot.
Additional Resources:
For more region specific information, each cover crop species can be found in the cover crop decision tool by name.
Brassicas & mustards overview: Managing Cover Crops Profitably (SARE Handbook Series Book 9) by Andy Clark (2007, 3rd ed.)
Rapeseed
Scientific Name: Brassica napus
Life Cycle: Winter Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 5.5-8.0 Min.
Germination Temp.: 41F
Upright cool-season or winter annual that grow 3-5 feets tall. They have narrow leaves, yellow flowers, a strong taproot, and fibrous and lateral roots.
Additional Resources:
For more region specific information, each cover crop species can be found in the cover crop decision tool by name.
Brassicas & mustards overview: Managing Cover Crops Profitably (SARE Handbook Series Book 9) by Andy Clark (2007, 3rd ed.)
Turnip
Scientific Name: Brassica rapa
Life Cycle: Cool Season Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 5.3-6.8 Min.
Germination Temp.: 45F
Upright, cool-season annual or biennial in areas where winter-kill fails to reliably occur. Has broad leaves with prominent midribs.
Additional Resources:
For more region specific information, each cover crop species can be found in the cover crop decision tool by name.
Brassicas & mustards overview: Managing Cover Crops Profitably (SARE Handbook Series Book 9) by Andy Clark (2007, 3rd ed.)
Winter canola
Upright winter annual broadleaf that grows 3-5 feet tall. Has narrow leaves, yellow flowers, a strong taproot, and fibrous lateral roots.
Additional Resources:
For more region specific information, each cover crop species can be found in the cover crop decision tool by name.Brassicas & mustards overview: Managing Cover Crops Profitably (SARE Handbook Series Book 9) by Andy Clark (2007, 3rd ed.)