Basics

Ease of Growing
Easy
Grown as
Annual
Days to Maturity
60-180 (Fall/Winter)
Growing Habit
-
Hardiness
Hardy

Plants are very hardy during the winter if they reach a large enough size before the first hard frost. Usually if plants have about 6 to 8 leaves beforehand they will be fine. 

Crops
Fall
Growing Season
Short, Long
Cultivar Type
-
Growing Conditions
Cold, Cool, Warm

Canola will do well in a wide variety of soils but does need a pH between 5.5 and 8.3. It's slightly tolerant of saline soils and can grow at very low temperatures.

Outdoor Growing Temp
40°F - 85°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp
30°F

Most cool weather cover crop should be started when temperatures are still in the 60's to allow the plants to establish before winter, which also prevents Winterkill. Canola can germinate in temperatures as low as 41˚ F, but does much better at 50˚ F.

Start Indoors
No
Start Outdoors
Yes
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool)

Cover crops need full sun when growing in winter, as days are shorter and the sun is lower in the sky. If grown in summer many will tolerate light shade (though they grow best in full sun).

Water
Low

Most of these crops are not particularly drought tolerant and will need regular watering in dry climates (especially when germinating and getting established). However they are mostly grown during the winter when the soil is fairly moist, so don't usually require much irrigation.

Feeder
Light

You do not need to fertilize cover crop in established gardens, as there will be plenty of nutrients in the garden to meet their needs. Since you will be incorporating them back in to the soil, growing them doesn't remove any nutrients from the soil.

The leguminous cover crops also fix nitrogen and eventually add it to the soil.

Suitability
Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost
Small Gardens?
No
Containers?
No
Attracts beneficial insects?
Yes
Color
Fruit Size
- "
Plant Height
36.0 - 60.0"
Plant Diameter
- "
Hardiness Zone
-
Disease Resistance
Taste Profile

Young leaves can be used in salads, similar to mustard greens. The flower buds can be used similar to broccoli. Canola oil is made from the seeds. 

Rotation Group
Soil Builders and Cleaners: Legumes + Corn + Potatoes