How to Grow InVigor L220 Canola
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InVigor L220 Canola
Brassica napus
vegetableInVigor L220 is a hybrid canola variety developed by Cargill, bred specifically for agronomic performance and oil quality. This is a spring canola cultivar designed for temperate growing regions with good disease resistance and yield potential. It produces oil-rich seeds primarily used for vegetable oil production and animal feed.
When should you plant InVigor L220 Canola in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example InVigor L220 Canola timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant InVigor L220 Canola
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest InVigor L220 Canola
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact InVigor L220 Canola dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-6; best suited to northern regions with cooler growing seasons
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Get my InVigor L220 Canola timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling & Cotyledon
2-3 weeksEmergence of first leaves; small rosette pattern forming low to ground
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for flea beetle damage on young leaves. Thin to proper spacing if necessary.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksRapid stem and leaf development; plant builds leaf canopy and root system; height 12-24 inches
Monitor for insects and diseases. Ensure adequate nitrogen for vigorous growth. Water during dry periods.
Bolting & Flowering
2-3 weeksMain stem extends rapidly; bright yellow flowers appear in raceme clusters at top; plant 24-36 inches tall
Critical period for water availability. Ensure consistent soil moisture. Watch for pollinating insects. Disease pressure may increase in humid conditions.
Pod Development & Maturation
4-5 weeksFlowers transition to silique pods (seed pods). Pods enlarge and fill with seeds; leaves yellow slightly
Maintain moderate watering. Reduce nitrogen to avoid excessive vegetative growth. Watch for late-season pests and pod-splitting diseases.
Senescence & Harvest Readiness
1-2 weeksPods dry and brown; seeds darken to near-black; leaves drop; plant desiccates
Stop watering. Monitor pod moisture (14% seed moisture ideal for harvest). Watch weather for premature pod shattering in wind.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Scout early; use insecticidal soap or neem oil on seedlings; tolerate some damage as plants are vigorous
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Monitor regularly; spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil; encourage natural predators like ladybugs
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Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) sprays; monitor for larvae on plants; remove infested plant material
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Early seeding to avoid peak midge emergence; crop rotation away from canola; destroy crop residue promptly
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Good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove infected plants; use resistant varieties when available
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Plant resistant varieties; rotate away from susceptible crops; destroy infected residue; seed treatment fungicides
Uses
Vegetable Oil Production
CulinaryInVigor L220 seeds yield high-quality canola oil rich in heart-healthy oleic acid and low in saturated fats. The oil is widely used for cooking, food manufacturing, and various culinary applications. [source]
Industrial & Biofuel Applications
HouseholdCanola oil serves as a renewable feedstock for biodiesel production, hydraulic fluids, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications. Its versatility makes it valuable for sustainable industrial production. [source]
Animal Feed Supplement
CulinaryCanola meal (the protein-rich residue after oil extraction) is a valuable livestock feed containing essential amino acids and nutrients for cattle, poultry, and aquaculture. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeBright yellow canola flowers attract honeybees, wild bees, and other pollinators, making it valuable for supporting bee populations during the growing season. [source]
Crop Rotation & Soil Health
HouseholdAs a Brassica crop, canola fits into diverse crop rotations and can help break pest and disease cycles while improving soil organic matter when crop residue is incorporated. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when pods turn brown and seeds are dark (nearly black). Combine when seed moisture reaches 10-14% to minimize shattering. Early morning or late evening harvesting reduces pod shattering losses. Swath or direct combine depending on crop condition. Allow a few days between swathing and combining for pods to fully dry in the sun if moisture is high.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 InVigor L220 is specifically bred to produce oil with optimal fatty acid composition, higher in oleic acid and lower in erucic acid compared to older canola varieties, making it superior for food and health applications.
- 🌱 Canola is a Canadian invention—the name comes from 'Canadian oil, low acid,' and modern canola was developed in the 1970s to improve upon rapeseed by reducing toxic erucic acid content.
- 🌱 InVigor hybrids are designed to leverage hybrid vigor (heterosis), often yielding 10-20% more seeds than open-pollinated varieties under comparable growing conditions.
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