NorthJeff

Red Rooster,

I live in a totally non-ag area, with little to no mast crop and no fruit. My deer like the turnips, and any other brassica, and I will plant them again.

But.....a friend downstate, in an agricultural area, coupled with Buckforage oats plots and clover plots, planted turnips last year, and although they grew to over 2' high, the deer NEVER touched them. They are rotting in the field as I write.

I' ve heard of similar experiences around the country in other heavy ag areas.

I would not go just with turnips, but with a mix, such as Biologic' s Maxim, or the Premium Perinnial. Most mixes of Brassicas are put together to not only be cold-weather tolerant, but to offer various maturity times. You can plant the Premium Perinnial in the spring, and then top-dress it with Maxim in the following spring. You can also use a grass herbicide, such as Poast, to control weeds within the Brassica/clover field.

I personally have had excellant luck with brassica/clover mixes, with both spring and early fall/late summer plantings, with adequate moisture.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan