When should I plant brassicas in Maryland?

In Maryland, brassicas is typically planted in fall between August 11 and August 26.

What USDA hardiness zone is Maryland?

Maryland has a dominant USDA hardiness zone of 7a, with a range from 5b to 8a. Last frost date averages around April 15 and first fall frost around October 25, giving a typical 195-day growing season.

What soil temperature does brassicas need to germinate?

Brassicas requires a minimum soil temperature of 45°F at 2-inch depth for reliable germination. Optimal germination occurs at 55–80°F.

State × crop calendar

Brassicas planting in Maryland.

Q: How long does brassicas take to mature?

Brassicas typically reaches maturity in 60–90 days, depending on variety. Late summer / early fall planting timing is critical for food plots — plants need 60-90 days of growth before first hard frost to reach peak forage value.

Primary crop
Zone 7a
195-day season
Last frost April 15
Cover Crop
Frost Hardy

Brassicas planting in Maryland is shaped by the state's 7a dominant hardiness zone, last frost date around April 15, and a 195-day growing season. Brassicas is widely grown in Maryland — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.

Planting dates on this page are climatological estimates from USDA frost-date norms and zone-typical planting offsets. Verify against University of Maryland Extension for variety- and county-specific guidance.

Planting calendar — 2026

Frost-anchored windows.

Brassicas · Maryland · planting calendar

Ideal windowEarliest / latest tailsFrost zone

Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.

Planting windows

Earliest → ideal → latest.

Fall planting

Brassicas

Earliest

July 27

Ideal start

August 11

Ideal end

August 26

Latest

September 10

Soil-temp trigger

Late summer planting for fall food plot — 60-90 days before first hard frost provides peak forage value before deer season.

Harvest window

Typical start

October 10

Typical end

November 9

Harvest timing varies with planting date and seasonal weather — these dates are typical for the ideal planting window.

Growing notes

Brassicas grows well in Maryland's typical climate. Maryland's 195-day growing season and 7a hardiness zone support reliable production with appropriate variety selection.

Brassicas is widely grown in Maryland — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.

Agronomy reference

Brassicas fundamentals.

Soil-temp minimum

45°F

Soil-temp optimum

55–80°F

Days to maturity

60–90

Water (in/wk)

0.5–1"

Soil pH

6–7.5

Nitrogen demand

moderate

Late summer / early fall planting timing is critical for food plots — plants need 60-90 days of growth before first hard frost to reach peak forage value.

Common pests to watch

Diamondback moth
Cabbage worms
Flea beetles

Pest pressure varies by region and year. Confirm current outbreaks with University of Maryland Extension.

Common diseases

Black rot
Clubroot
Alternaria leaf spot

Resistance varieties shift each year. Check the current variety trial report for your state.

Variety selection

Brassicas varieties for Maryland live with your extension.

Variety selection

Variety performance is micro-regional and changes with each year's trial cycle. We don't republish variety lists — instead, we point directly at the source.

University of Maryland Extension →

Search the extension site for “brassicas variety trial” or “recommended brassicas varieties” to find the current report.

Yield varies significantly by variety, soil, fertility, and management. Consult your state extension service for variety performance trials in your region.

Brassicas timing. Live alerts.

Bield: Farm ties weather and soil-temperature stations in your county to crop planting thresholds — get notified the day soil temp clears your target window.

Start free trial →

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