We’re now at the point in the growing season which allows us to judge just how the spring planted crops are faring. This helps with the decision as to whether something later-planted is required, depending on how successful everything is looking.
Generally, summer-sown options – or rescue crops – are used in two circumstances. First, when something that has been planted in the spring has failed because of poor weather conditions or other challenges. Or, to be planted into stubbles that have had crops harvested from. Allowing for larger areas to be utilised.
The weather this year was particularly dry after spring planting (and remained dry up until the recent rainfall), and due to this, we have seen an increase in demand for many of these options.
If a shoot or conservation project is requiring a summer-sown option, providing there is moisture, every day counts with regards to getting them in the ground. The earlier something goes in, the more opportunity it has to grow.
For the best results, these options should look to be planted up until and including the first week of August. There can be some success if planting later than this, however the weather may limit the results.
To repeat it, everyday counts! So, below are four of the best summer-sown options available. Get your orders in…
Autumn Promise (AB9)
Our most popular summer-sown mixture, which is AB9 compliant, very fast to establish and can be used in a range of scenarios.
Primarily made up of small seed brassicas, the inclusion of non-brassica vetch and buckwheat helps to reduce the overall risk of flea beetle. The Utopia in the mix improves winter-hardiness and the multitude of species within the mix allows some risk to be spread.
Generally, this mix performs better when drilled, rather than broadcasted. We recommend drilling in 18–24-inch rows at half an inch deep.
Once established, the mix offers good, comprehensive cover, with some feed value the following spring. When weeds are an issue, this mix is a particularly good choice because it can be planted late into a stale seedbed.
A very fast-growing mix of solely small, seeded brassicas. This mix can be drilled or broadcast, with many customers broadcasting this into struggling game covers to ‘patch-up’. Other customers drill or broadcast it into stubble after harvest.
A slightly more economic option than the Autumn Promise, Keepers Relief provides a mixed canopy cover once established, and provides strong winter-hardy cover right through the season.
The resulting crop is ideal at flushing points, but can also provide a useful wind-break alongside a strip of maize.
A hybrid straight consisting of Ethiopian kale crossed with mustard, boasting the quick growing power of mustard and the physical presence of kale. Utopia has now been established as one of the best late sown game cover crops in the UK.
This unique cross is versatile and includes good frost tolerance, strong stems and fast establishment.
Though not flea beetle resistant, it does grow away from the cotyledon stage quickly, meaning there is a reduced risk.
Preferably drilled in 18-24-inch rows so the game birds can still be moved underneath it, the crop can also be grazed at the end of the season, adding an additional benefit.
Through our sponsorship scheme, we donate a minimum of £1 to the National Gamekeepers Organisation for every Kg of Utopia sold.
Our last recommended summer-sown option is lightning mustard. A fantastic variety for game cover, this crop is versatile, easy to plant and extremely quick to establish.
The seed can either be drilled or broadcasted and then harrowed in and will easily germinate to form a crop loved by both partridge and pheasants. Some customers broadcast the seed straight into standing cereals before harvest, meaning it is established early before the crop is harvested.
Due to the strong flavour of the plant, it is relatively pest free. Also, because it gets away so quickly, pest damage at early stages can also be somewhat avoided.
Lightning mustard is resilient to the UK climate and able to deal with drought and cold alike.
Though these are the four options that we recommend, we do have a number of other summer-sown crops that may work better for specific farms, shoots and situations. Please don’t hesitate to contact the office for advice on other options, or on anything that you’ve read here.
01722 744494