Swede rapeseed (Brassica napus)

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun to partial shade

Watermoderate

↑ Gives back

Biomasshigh

Onion

Onions are said to deter some pests of Brassicas.

Spearmint

Mint can help deter flea beetles, but can be invasive.

Emergence

Seeds germinate and seedlings emerge when soil temperatures are consistently above 50C.

Flowering

Flowering is initiated by lengthening days and air temperatures above 100C.

Fruiting

Fruit (siliques) development begins approximately 30 days after flowering.

Harvest

Harvest occurs when seeds are mature, typically 45 days after fruiting begins.

Senescence

Plants begin to senesce with the onset of the first autumn frosts.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Drainagewell-drained

Nitrogen fixingNo

MycorrhizalNo

Accumulatessulfur, boron

Soil textureloam, silt

Organic matterMedium

Compaction toleranceLow

Methodsseed

Difficulty1 / 5

Establishes in~1 yr

Self-seedingModerate

Attractspollinators

Can host pestscabbage worms, flea beetles, aphids

Can host diseasesclubroot, black rot