Jackhammer Radish, Brassicas

Jackhammer (F1) Cover Crop Radish Seed

Powerful daikon roots naturally penetrate compacted soil
Rapid germination establishes protective cover quickly
Scavenges leftover nutrients and creates winter-killed biomass
Ideal before spring crops in reduced-tillage gardens

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Raphanus sativus

Days to maturity

28 Days

Sun

Full Sun

About Jackhammer, (F1) Cover Crop Radish Seed, Cover Crop Radish Seed

The Jackhammer Radish is a fast growing daikon radish variety that is a great scavenger that will start germinating immediately! This variety is very easy to grow. The Jackhammer Radish is good for winter kills and turns into great biomass.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

Days to Germination

3–10 days

Row Spacing

Broadcast or Drill

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

18 inches

Growth Habits

Rosette, Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

1,969

Seed Type

Hybrid

Before Planting

Before planting Cover Crop Radish, select an open site with drainage and soil conditions suited to cover crop radish. Control perennial weeds, remove heavy residue if it will interfere with seeding, and prepare a firm seedbed; use a soil test to correct major deficiencies. Confirm the planting window and termination plan before sowing, especially when the crop could overwinter or reseed.

Planting

For cover crop radish, sow seed directly during its recommended seasonal window, when enough growing time remains for establishment. Broadcast or drill seed evenly, then roll or press the area to ensure firm seed-to-soil contact. Keep the surface moist until seedlings establish if rainfall is insufficient. These crops normally form a stand and are not thinned; use the separate seeding-rate guidance to control density.

Watering

Cover Crop Radish needs dependable moisture while seedlings establish. Afterward, rely on rainfall where practical and irrigate only during prolonged dryness, ensuring the soil drains freely and never remains waterlogged.

Fertilizer

Base cover crop radish fertility on a soil test and planned crop use. Avoid unnecessary nitrogen, which can cause weak growth, lodging, nutrient loss, or difficult residue management.

Harvesting

Manage cover crop radish at the growth stage matching the goal. Harvest forage before flowering, terminate cover before viable seed forms, or collect seed only after pods or heads become dry.

Tips

Use cover crop radish as part of a crop-rotation plan rather than leaving it unmanaged. Prevent seed production unless reseeding is intentional, and match termination method to residue and erosion goals.

AVG. Seeding Rate

½ lb./1,000 sq.ft.; 10–20 lb./acre.

Pests & Diseases

Black rot, clubroot, downy mildew, white rust, and Rhizoctonia root rot can affect cover crop radish. Diseased radishes may carry brassica pathogens into vegetables planted next. Avoid seeding into known clubroot ground, control volunteer brassicas, and terminate infected stands before decomposing tissue spreads inoculum.

Cover Crop Radish may attract cabbageworms, loopers, aphids, flea beetles, and slugs. Inspect frequently, use physical barriers early, and choose targeted biological controls instead of broad-spectrum insecticides.