How to Grow Black Summer
Brassica rapa var. chinensis
Your complete guide to growing Black Summer.
📷 Wikipedia: Brassica rapaWhen to Plant Black Summer
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | July – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | July – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | June – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | April – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | March – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | March – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | February – December |
Companion Plants for Black Summer
✓ Good companions
Deep taproots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, helps break up soil
Repels aphids and other soft-bodied insects that commonly attack lettuce
Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs that prey on lettuce pests
Strong scent deters aphids, slugs, and other lettuce pests
Natural pest deterrent, repels nematodes and various garden pests
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, draws pests away from lettuce
Quick-growing, helps break up compacted soil and can be intercropped
Similar growing requirements, can be succession planted together
✗ Keep away from
Large leaves create too much shade and compete for nutrients
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Allelopathic compounds inhibit lettuce germination and growth
Produce juglone, a natural herbicide toxic to lettuce and many other plants
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
