Farmers use radishes to soften, fertilize fields

[gbell]

I've heard this twice now about potatoes "working the soil", but they don't penetrate the ground the way radishes/turnips/carrots do - do they? I thought they formed in loose soil...

[milifestyle]

I've heard this twice now about potatoes "working the soil", but they don't penetrate the ground the way radishes/turnips/carrots do - do they? I thought they formed in loose soil...

Potatoes are good when the intention is to harvest them. They can become a weed if allowed to grow and till under. It only takes the smallest eye to stay in tact and it can shoot the following season.

We are currently going through the second season of eliminating Potato plants from a formal garden bed where the previous occupant decided to tip a bag of rotten potatoes.

[purplepear]

I've heard this twice now about potatoes "working the soil", but they don't penetrate the ground the way radishes/turnips/carrots do - do they? I thought they formed in loose soil.

Perhaps it is it the harvest that the ground breaks up - it is true of here that the spuds do best in loose soil mounded.

[Michaelangelica]

The radishes are especially attractive to no-till farmers, who plant without plowing or otherwise turning the soil to enrich it, retain moisture and reduce erosion.
For farmers who till, the radishes can reduce how deep they must plow.

Thanks for the link. No tilling helps keep carbon and(?) NO2 in the soil.

the radish seeds must be planted in most parts of the country by the middle of September to grow to a reasonable size

Most Ozzies could grow, most radishes, most of the year -couldn't they?

I have often heard garden writers and TV broadcasters suggest growing radishes when broadcasting seed. The Radish, and say, carrot or beetroot seed is mixed with some sand and raddish seed and broadcast on your garden bed. They say you get better germination of your 'main' crop.

I have never been fond of raddish-- I have a kid's memory of them being too 'hot". Also store bought ones are old and wilted. I am just about to start harvesting some this year and think I will try some of the Asian varieties soon.

Raddish seed is a said to be a good seed crop to start kids gardening with as they germinate so quickly.

Radish and beer were said to be the staple foods of the Ancient Egyptian Pyramid builders.
Radishes gave them lots of energy -so maybe they are a neglected food in my diet/kitchen.