What hardiness zones is Brassica napus 'Dwarf Essex' suitable for?

Brassica napus 'Dwarf Essex' is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b.

What are the sun requirements for Brassica napus 'Dwarf Essex'?

Brassica napus 'Dwarf Essex' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Brassica napus 'Dwarf Essex' need?

Brassica napus 'Dwarf Essex' has Medium water needs.

Brassica napus 'Dwarf Essex', Dwarf Essex Rape (Turnip Greens)

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Vegetables

Brassica napus 'Dwarf Essex'

Dwarf Essex Rape (Turnip Greens)

Brassicaceae

Mediterranean (natural hybrid B. oleracea × B. rapa; Dwarf Essex traditional European; dual edible/cover crop; biofumigant; cold-tolerant 20°F)

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height24-36 inches (60-90 cm)

Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2a - 9b

Zone 2a Zone 2b Zone 3a Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a Zone 8b Zone 9a Zone 9b

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Brassica napus 'Dwarf Essex' is an annual (or biennial in mild climates) leafy green and cover crop reaching 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) tall with a spread of 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) and an upright, bushy, rosette-forming habit. A rapeseed cultivar widely used as both a cool-season forage crop and an edible green, it produces smooth, blue-green, waxy leaves 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) long resembling a cross between kale and turnip greens. Mild, cabbage-like flavor when young. Days to maturity 45-60 from direct sow for greens harvest. Growth rate is fast. Cold-tolerant to 20°F (-7°C). Also widely used as a fall/winter cover crop—deep taproot breaks compacted soil, and decomposing foliage suppresses soil-borne pathogens (biofumigation).

Native Range

Brassica napus originated as a natural hybrid between B. oleracea and B. rapa in the Mediterranean region. 'Dwarf Essex' is a traditional European cultivar.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a dual-purpose cover crop and edible green. Greens: salads (baby), cooking, stir-fry—mild cabbage flavor. Cover crop: fall-planted, deep taproot breaks compaction, biofumigant properties suppress soil pathogens. Cold-tolerant to 20°F. Fast 45-60 days for greens. Winter-kills in cold zones. Not suitable as a standalone crop where only greens or only cover crop function is needed—other Brassica species may be more specialized.

How to Identify

Distinguished from kale (B. oleracea) by the smoother, waxier, blue-green (versus curly or lacinato) leaves and the dual use as both edible green and cover crop. Distinguished from turnips (B. rapa) by the lack of enlarged root. Dwarf Essex rape—smooth blue-green waxy leaves, dual edible/cover crop, biofumigant, cold-tolerant to 20°F.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

blue

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Four-petaled bright yellow flowers on stalks 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) in spring of the second year or when vernalized. Flowers attract pollinators. For greens, harvest before bolting.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright yellow; four-petaled; spring if overwintered; pollinator-attracting

Foliage Description

Blue-green; smooth waxy; 8-12 inches; resembling kale-turnip cross

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

45-60 days for greens

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow in late summer through early fall for cover crop use, or in early spring/fall for greens. Broadcast or drill seed. Any reasonable soil (pH 5.5-7.5). Cold-tolerant to 20°F (-7°C). Fast growing—produces substantial biomass in 6-8 weeks. Days to maturity 45-60 for greens. Winter-kills in zones 5 and colder, providing natural mulch. In mild climates, incorporate before bolting in spring.

Pruning

For greens: harvest outer leaves for cut-and-come-again. For cover crop: mow or incorporate into soil before flowering. No other pruning.

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

direct sow

Direct Sow Timing

Late summer-early fall for cover crop; early spring or fall for greens

Days to Maturity

45–60 days

Plant Spacing

6 inches

Companion Planting

Avoid Planting With

other brassicas in rotation