What variety is it? Fodder usually takes months to get to maturity. Some are as quick as a couple months, but some can take up to four months or so. If you are planning on feeding critters that matters. But if you are just leaving them in the ground as compost, then you might be OK planting them now. They won't be mature, but they should get some good greens growth and some root growth.

Hi, I just checked and this is the variety I bought....

Tapmaster Deep-rooted Daikon Radish Organic

I'm afraid that doesn't really sound like it's going to accomplish what I want to. It was the root growth that I was looking for to break up the soil. With the low angle and less sun, I doubt they are going to get very big if I plant them now, just from past experience. I'm sure you are right, I will get some effect but not the full effect I was looking for. Would it work out well, if I choose to sow the seed in the spring or will there be some problem with doing it that way?

Could you do both? Now and if you do not get completely what you want, add more in the spring.

Sherry, I love that idea. I love compromises...lol. I will do just that. I have plenty of seed.

Thank you both.

Tapmaster radish you might have a shot at this year. That's closer to a 60 day, but if mature can withstand the lighter frosts. Takes a couple killing frosts for them. Diakons are winter radishes so they can like the cooler fall weather better than summer radishes.

Great to know what to expect. I hope I can get them into the ground this weekend. Thank you! :-)

I've sowed beets over labor day weekend before and got pretty much nothing other than a few small ones. It's just too late in the season up here in the north.

The post says beets, but the comments say Daikon radish.

Daikon Radishes can grow quite large by December, if that is what you want, they grow well in Autumn. This is all confusing.

Well, now I’m confused. I know I read the label and made the post that it was Daikon radish but it didn’t register that was what I have. And why that and not beet? I just went back and looked at the order and that is what I ordered. I was supposed to be ordering tillage beets or forage beets as soil improvement .

This isn’t for eating, it’s to break up hardened soil. I got the idea from a garden book by the Amish. I just looked up cover crop on their website and that is where I see the daikon radish….

Here is the description on their site….

“…variety: Nitro. Broadleaf. Up to 14" aboveground growth; up to 21" long radishes! Moderately frost resistant. Join the D. D. Radish Revolution! A cover crop Daikon radish bred for improved taproot performance. Also known as oilseed radish or forage radish. Penetrates hardpans and loosens soil down to 30" or beyond. Excellent scavenger crop: takes up available nutrients in the soil and prevents nutrient losses to leaching or runoff. Germinates quickly. Suppresses weeds if planted thickly.’

Winterkill occurs when several consecutive nights are in the low 20s. Leave plants in the ground all winter and into spring: roots decompose leaving large holes that fill with rainwater, eliminating runoff and improving soil drainage. Decomposed root and leaf matter release nutrients and increase microbial activity in the soil, contributing to increased yields in crops that follow. Mainers should plant in late August or early September for maximum benefit. Can be planted as late as October in mid-Atlantic states. Do not plant in spring: the plants will bolt before they form taproots. Drill at 5–10#/acre or broadcast at 10–15#/acre, ½# per 1000 sq ft. Note: We cannot ship this to Oregon’s Willamette Valley.”

So, I guess the website answers my questions. Should have looked there first. [g] I think that clears it up.

Man, those roots don't really decompose leaving large holes in one winter. They do shrivel and rot back a lot and it does leave space in the hole. But there will still be the leftover dead stuff in the spring that you might want to clean up/turn under- whatever. Although radishes are better for a one winter planting. Winter tends to kill them. Many beets can survive the winter and grow again in the spring.

You will LOVE the aroma when the Daikon radishes begin to decompose in the early spring.

LOL, I looked it up.

Beesneeds…. Yes I am planning that I’ll have to turn them under and not plant right away. I also don’t mind if it takes awhile to fully decompose.

Jack…is that being sarcastic? [g] Do they really smell horrible? Lol

No, they are on the furthest lot line from the house, so we should be okay. A sulfur smell...hmmmm....rotten eggs...lol.

Yep, rotten eggs! Several years ago I tilled up a new bed of about 600 sq/ft and planted tillage radishes in the plot about this time of year. The bed was right next to my long driveway. Early the next spring my son would complain of the rotten egg smell when he walked by the garden after getting off the bus. It lasted for several weeks.

Thanks for the warning Jack! :-)