For best results, plant Tillage Radishes in late summer to early fall, at least four to 10 weeks before the first killing frost. Tillage Radishes germinate rapidly and typically start appearing in days. Tillage Radishes begin to winterkill when temperatures fall to the mid-teens, similar to fall-planted spring oats. While growing, Tillage Radishes scavenge nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous and calcium, from deep in the soil profile making them more readily available for future cropping.

In most areas, Tillage Radishes will decompose in time for spring planting, preparing the field for planting conditions and enhancing the availability of nutrients already in your soil. Significantly reducing your fertilizer needs.

The Basics

• Radish seed is equivalent in size and in seeding rate to alfalfa seed.
• Radishes may be drilled, broadcast, or aerially seeded.
• Radishes will do best with 60 pounds of Nitrogen (residual or applied) for optimal growth. Applied Nitrogen will be returned to next year’s crop.
• Radishes winterkill in mid-teen temperatures.
• Radishes are an extremely competitive cover crop.
• Radishes have an unpleasant odor when decaying.

Detailed Planting Instructions

• The radish seeding-rate is 8 to 10 pounds per acre when planted as a stand-alone crop.
• Drill seeding is the preferred planting method for radishes for maximum rooting potential
• Plant seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep with average soil conditions. If soil is dry, plant 1 inch deep.
• Adding nitrogen is beneficial in low fertility fields to allow radishes to achieve maximum rooting. Upon decomposition in the spring, excess nitrogen will be released in time for utilization of a spring crop.
• Radishes can work very well with other cover crops.
• Aerial seeding has been successful but results are inconsistent.