Winter pasture crop

[markcrain]

I have goats and hogs and would like to grow something to help with feed over winter. What would be good to sow in the pasture then turn them loose on it? Or even grow in a garden to feed over winter. I'm in East Tn so winters are relatively mild, at least compared to a lot of places.

[Mulligan Man]

Originally Posted by markcrain

I have goats and hogs and would like to grow something to help with feed over winter. What would be good to sow in the pasture then turn them loose on it? Or even grow in a garden to feed over winter. I'm in East Tn so winters are relatively mild, at least compared to a lot of places.

Turnips and radish.

Pretty much all the brassicas.

[markcrain]

Originally Posted by Mulligan Man

Turnips and radish.

Pretty much all the brassicas.

They will grow through winter? I'll be danged. I thought they would freeze. I was thinking some sort of winter grass but Turnips would be much better. THanks.

[R.Adams]

Winter rye grass is what we spread on our pastures, grows nicely all winter until the heat gets it into the spring. Since your farther north than us possible a winter wheat might be a good choice. I know with our rye grass we dont have to direct seed it or anything. We just spread it by hand or with a broad cast spreader.

[Bearfootfarm]

Cereal Rye, Ryegrass, Turnips, Kale will all grow through Winter, but it may be a little late to plant them depending on your location.

It's pretty warm here in Eastern NC, and we generally plant those things in September to get good growth before cold weather sets in

[Mulligan Man]

Originally Posted by markcrain

They will grow through winter? I'll be danged. I thought they would freeze. I was thinking some sort of winter grass but Turnips would be much better. THanks.

They are fairly hardy.

What zone are you in?

[markcrain]

Originally Posted by Mulligan Man

They are fairly hardy.

What zone are you in?

I'm in Zone 7

[Callieslamb]

I ditto radishes and turnips. I'd add beets - especially mangels or sugar beets. It might be a bit late for those. Though they can withstand frost, they will grow much more slowly as winter progresses. If you have a lot of hard frosts, they can still be killed.

[CesumPec]

someone help me. there is a kind of rutabaga (I think) that produces big 10 +lb "fruits". It can be used as people food but is often used for livestock chow because it produces such a large amount of food that stores very well.

I think the name of it sounds something like kohlrabi but it is way mo' biggah than anything you would find in a store.

[Paquebot]

Originally Posted by CesumPec

someone help me. there is a kind of rutabaga (I think) that produces big 10 +lb "fruits". It can be used as people food but is often used for livestock chow because it produces such a large amount of food that stores very well.

I think the name of it sounds something like kohlrabi but it is way mo' biggah than anything you would find in a store.

Kossak kohlrabi is a hybrid which will get that big and would probably store all winter. Gigante kohlrabi is a fixed variety which gets to 6# or so.

Martin

[PineCreek Ranch]

I do winter wheat for cattle to graze in over the winter