Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)

How many do I want:

Depends on how often you eat it, and how many are in your family. I like to keep 4 plants going, each plant is about 12" in dia at the end of the 2nd season, which is when I start to divide. I only divide 2 plants up each year.

Where to plant horseradish:

Choose a generous site for this fast grower. Since horseradish is a perennial, don't put it in a vegetable garden that gets tilled every year. A corner of your herb garden is ideal. Also can be grown in a deep container, such as a whiskey barrel planter. Try to give it full sun. Partial shade is fine, however growth will be slower. Soil Ph should be between 5.5 to 7. The plant will grow approx. 24" tall and 18" wide.

When to plant horseradish:

Plant your root as soon as you receive it! If ground cannot be worked, store root in refrigerator in loosely wrapped plastic bag. The next year's crop should be planted in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. Also can be planted in late autumn, the same as garlic or onions.

How to plant horseradish plants:

Dig a hole twice as deep as the roots of the plant. Hold the plant over the hole as you refill the dirt, keeping the base of the leaves at the soil line. Water plant well. It is normal for the plant to wilt for a few days after planting. If planted in full sun, we recommend temporarily shading the plants for the first couple of days until they recover from transplanting. You will see new leaves appearing soon!

How to water horseradish:

Keep soil slightly moist, just as any other plant.

How to fertilize horseradish:

The compost you re-filled the planting hole with should give the horseradish plant most of it's food for the season, but if needed apply a balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer 2 or 3 times during the season, or a barrow full of manure in late winter.

When to harvest horseradish:

For most pungent flavour do not harvest until the leaves have seen frost. In the south, harvest in late autumn. One-year old plants have the most flavour, so dig it up and replant each season.

How to Prepare:

Dormant roots have the most flavour! If the root has a greenish tint or leaves are sprouting there will be very little flavour. If this happens, place the root into a plastic bag then refrigerate for 2 weeks. The flavour of horseradish also diminishes rapidly with time, that's why it can't be stored very long once processed. After you dice or grate the root, cover it with white vinegar to prevent oxidation of the flavour. Timing is important here, the longer you wait to add the vinegar, the hotter it will be! For less-hot horseradish add the vinegar 1-2 minutes after processing, for more-hot wait up to 6-8 minutes. You will not taste much of the vinegar.

The whole root can be grated at once and stored in a jar filled with white vinegar but it will not retain full flavour for too long. It is better to grate an inch or two off the bottom of the root as needed. Otherwise prepare as your recipe requires.

Be sure you stay upwind as you grate, the fumes are quite strong! Try to go outside or work near an open window.

Store any unused portion of root in the fridge in a loose plastic bag, or it will turn green and grow leaves.