Tillage Radish Cover Crop

Tillage Radish Cover Crop

Raphanus sativus

Tillage radish is the perfect crop for breaking up hardpan soils or improving tilth in workable but heavy soils. It is similar to a daikon radish, with big, strong roots that plunge deep into the soil. Sown in late summer, it forms these giant roots and is then winter killed, which turns the roots into mush as the soil thaws. After a few weeks, the root mush starts to dry up, leaving behind air channels that help establish deeper tilth and dramatically increases the surface area of the soil that is exposed to air, allowing the soil to dry out more quickly—especially helpful in wet springs.

The Tillage Radish has been proven to increase yields. University tested and proven over 10 years. Tillage Radish® are similar to oilseed radishes, but have a larger, deeper penetrating tap root to aid as a biological tool to reduce soil compaction. Tillage Radish® are best planted in the fall at least 4-10 weeks before the first killing frost. Tillage Radish® germinate rapidly and start covering the ground within few days. While growing, Tillage Radish® scavenge nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous and calcium from deep within the soil profile, making them more readily available for the next crop. Tillage Radish do best with about 60 lbs Nitrogen (residual or applied) at seeding to promote growth. This nitrogen will be retained and released for the next crop. Great for weed suppression on weeds like henbit and chickweed. Helps suppress nematodes.Goes deeper in the soil profile than a deep ripper and best of all it doesn’t bring up any rocks! Available in 50 lb bags or 2000 lb totes. Seeding rate 10-12 lbs/acre broadcasted, 6 lbs/acre drilled, 2-4 lbs/acre in cover crop mixes, 4 lbs/acre precision planted.

Although the root is the most widely utilized part of this crop, don't forget about the green leaves as they offer a wide range of health benefit as well. In Asian countries, daikon radish root is commonly pickled and eaten as a side dish or added to main dishes, grated, cubed or in thin slices.  Are you in to sprouts? Enjoy daikon sprouts (called "kaiware" by the Japanese), which have a pungent and peppery flavor that adds a kick to sandwiches and salads. You don't even have to cook them as daikon sprouts are best eaten raw since they are very delicate and can be damaged by heating. Plant daikon radish seeds to obtain high amounts of potassium, vitamin C and phosphorus which as you know are all very good for  you.

Fracking Daikon Radish is a deep rooted forage radish that will make an outstanding winter cover crop. The deep taproot of the large rooted plant can help break up the tough, compacted soil, improve water infiltration, suppresses weeds, eliminate pests and stores nitrogen. When planting daikon radish seed as a cover crop, the benefits will be optimized if planted in late summer:

• Reduces soil compaction

• High Biomass production

• Increases water infiltration

• Excellent erosion control

• Great weed suppression

• Fast establishment

That is not near all there is to know about Daikon radish. Some people refer to it as Oriental radish, but daikon is a vegetable that actually goes by many names including: mooli, Chinese radish, Satsuma radish amd Japanese radish. In fact, daikon in Japanese means "big root." It is grown around the world, but primarily here in the U.S. daikon radish seeds are planted as a cover crop to prevent soil compaction, which then allows soil to absorb more rainfall.

You can tell Daikon apart from other radishes by its appearance: it has large, fast growing leaves and a long white root which looks similar to a pale carrot. Daikon can grow up to 20 inches long with a diameter of 4 inches. As far as flavor, it is considered milder and less peppery than other radishes. If you prefer to eat it raw, then it will have a mild and tangy taste with a crisp and juicy texture. If you prefer to cook it, it tastes similar to turnips.

Sow 4-8 weeks before first fall frost (Late August or early September in zone 5). Note that you’ll want to avoid putting brassica crops directly into beds just occupied by tillage radish. Wait til later in the season or the following year.