Winters can be hard on the deer population, due to stress generated when not enough adequate food sources are available. Purple Top Forage Turnip provides deer with not only an option during those months, but a sustaining and nutrient-rich option that could be critical to deer health and survival. 20-25% crude protein can be found in the above-ground portion alone!
Acreage |
1/2 acre: 2-5 lb 1 acre: 5-10 lb |
Planting Time |
Late Summer / Early Fall |
Planting Depth |
1/4 inch |
pH Level |
6.4 or higher |
PLanting INstructions:
1. Check your soil’s pH level with a soil testing kit. (Kits can be bought at Lowe’s for around $10 or at your local Cooperative Extension office. Visit agsci.psu.edu/aasl/soil-testing/soil-fertility-testing for more information).
2. Get rid of weeds. Mowing or weed-whacking the area first may be helpful. Afterwards, kill the weeds by spraying them with an herbicide. Allow about a week for the herbicide to do its job.
(Herbicides are products typically containing glyphosate, a compound used to kill a wide range of weeds including grasses, sedges, broad-leaved and woody plants. Some good examples of herbicides include Butyrac 200, Arrow 2EC, Roundup, Rodeo, and Arrest.)
3. Once you have received the soil testing results back, apply lime as necessary. You may also choose to do some other enhancements such as fixing the nitrogen, potash, and phosphorus levels as well.
4. Rake off the dead weeds and brush. Till the soil a little bit with the rake. Be sure to note the planting depth…planting the seeds any lower may harm the germination rate.
5. Apply fertilizers, if planned.
6. Broadcast seeds. You can do this with a hand spreader (approximately $15 at Walmart), tow spreader, truck spreader, etc.
7. Increase your seed-to-soil contact by recovering the seeds with soil. Suggestions: Walk on it, rake it, or drive an ATV over it.
8. Leave your new plot alone as much as possible. This will eliminate the possibility of human scent ruining the site.
2. Get rid of weeds. Mowing or weed-whacking the area first may be helpful. Afterwards, kill the weeds by spraying them with an herbicide. Allow about a week for the herbicide to do its job.
(Herbicides are products typically containing glyphosate, a compound used to kill a wide range of weeds including grasses, sedges, broad-leaved and woody plants. Some good examples of herbicides include Butyrac 200, Arrow 2EC, Roundup, Rodeo, and Arrest.)
3. Once you have received the soil testing results back, apply lime as necessary. You may also choose to do some other enhancements such as fixing the nitrogen, potash, and phosphorus levels as well.
4. Rake off the dead weeds and brush. Till the soil a little bit with the rake. Be sure to note the planting depth…planting the seeds any lower may harm the germination rate.
5. Apply fertilizers, if planned.
6. Broadcast seeds. You can do this with a hand spreader (approximately $15 at Walmart), tow spreader, truck spreader, etc.
7. Increase your seed-to-soil contact by recovering the seeds with soil. Suggestions: Walk on it, rake it, or drive an ATV over it.
8. Leave your new plot alone as much as possible. This will eliminate the possibility of human scent ruining the site.
