Daikon / forage radish
Oilseed or tillage-type radish (Raphanus sativus)
Nutrients & rotation
Compaction-prone beds after tomatoes or cucurbits get a deep tap channel when roots rot in place — not magic, but a useful bio-drill on a home scale.
Fast fall growth; winterkills in hard-freeze climates leaving pores; in mild winters roots may persist — adjust expectations.
In the garden
- Sow thick enough to suppress weeds but thin if roots pencil-thin from overcrowding.
- Avoid following with tiny-seeded crops if residue is chunky — rake or shallow incorporate.
Timing
Late summer to early fall, 6–10 weeks before first hard frost for meaningful root size.
Caveats
- Brassica family — mind clubroot rotation if that is an issue on your site.