RADISH ‘Tillage’ GREEN MANURE Seeds
Botanical Name: Raphanus sativus
Deep soil breaker.
Improves drainage and organic matter.
Cool-season annual cover crop.
Tillage Radish is a powerful soil-conditioning cover crop with long taproots that break through compacted ground, improve drainage, and naturally aerate the soil. It’s ideal for reducing runoff, capturing excess nutrients, and increasing fertility before the next planting. Fast-growing and easy to manage, it’s well suited to no-dig systems and works well in rotation with vegetables or broadacre crops.
- Long taproot (up to 90 cm) fractures hard soils and improves structure.
- Absorbs and holds nutrients, reducing leaching and improving soil fertility.
- Suppresses weeds with quick canopy growth and dense foliage.
- Boosts microbial activity and enhances carbon levels in soil.
- Can be used in no-till or conventional systems by allowing roots to decompose naturally.
- Reduces pest and disease cycles in rotation systems.
- Performs best in cooler seasons; frost tolerant.
Plant Details:
- Plant Type: Annual brassica cover crop
- Root Depth: Up to 90 cm
Sowing Information:
- Sow When:
Temperate: February–June or August–October
Subtropical: March–June
Tropical: Avoid wet season; sow in dry winter months
Cool: Early autumn or late winter - Germination: 5–10 days
- Depth: 1–2 cm deep
- Position: Full sun to partial shade
- Sow Where: Broadcast or direct drill into garden beds or cropping fields
- Soil Type: Well-drained soils, pH 5.5–7.0
- Spacing: 15–30 cm between rows or evenly broadcast
When to Sow Tillage Radish in Your Climate
| Climate Zone | Best Planting Time | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Temperate | February–June or August–October | Sow in moist, well-drained beds; avoid mid-winter frost risk. |
| Subtropical | March–June | Grow during cooler months; ideal before main spring crops. |
| Tropical | Dry winter season | Avoid sowing during peak humidity and heavy rain. |
| Cool | Late summer–early autumn | Sow after hottest period ends for strong cool-season growth. |
| Arid | Autumn | Plant with rainfall or irrigate to assist establishment. |
Quick Growing Guide
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Germination Time | 5–10 days |
| Sowing Depth | 1–2 cm |
| Watering | Keep moist until established; drought-tolerant when mature |
| Growth Period | 6–10 weeks |
| Incorporation | Cut before flowering or allow roots to decompose naturally |