Got
soil compaction? Instead of using a soil structure destroying device
such as a ripper, try Tillage Radishes instead!
Tillage Radishes hold great benefits for the soil by
alleviating compaction naturally, increasing water infiltration, adding
tons of organic matter to the soil and keeping the soil covered throughout
the winter. Tillage Radishes also benefit fertility by acting as a
nutrient recycling pump to recover residual nitrogen and by scavenging nutrients
from deep within in the soil profile and depositing them on or near the
soil surface. Radishes also provide
outstanding winter annual weed control.
Farmers have also successfully grazed the tillage radishes when planted by
themselves or mixed with another grazing type species.
Click here to learn about all the benefits
of Tillage Radishes.
Tillage
Radishes also have a "Green Tillage" effect by allowing you to prepare the
seedbed with plants instead of steel. No piece of steel can benefit the soil like roots from a good
cover crop such as Tillage Radishes. Producers such as Steve Groff of
Cedar Meadow Farm have shown that crops grown after a cover crop of
Tillage Radishes have consistently higher yields than a non-cover crop
seedbed. The University of Maryland has done 3 years of research which has
shown yield increases of up to 17 bushel per acre for corn and 7-9 bushel
per acre increase for soybeans. In about a dozen site-years of research in
which a good stand of radish cover crop was established in fall, the
University of Maryland team saw significant yield increases about 50% of
the time (but never significant yield decreases) compared to where no
cover crop was planted. In side by side comparisons, some farmers have
experienced a range of corn yield increases of 20-40 bushels per acre!Click
here to learn more about Tillage Radish Research.
Tillage radishes can be planted in
the late summer and should be planted at a rate of 8-10 lbs per acre, 1/4
to 1/2 inch deep. Many farmers are experimenting with various companion
covers and corresponding seeding rates. Click here to
learn how to grow Tillage Radishes.