Horseradish Growing Guide

Horseradish Growing Guide

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• Horseradish is grown in a very unique way—nothing you would know, even if you are an experienced gardener. It isn’t difficult, though, and the results are wonderful!
• Plant the root cuttings (sometimes called ‘sets’) in deep soil. That is, garden soil that is turned over and to which compost has been added. Lay the cuttings in the soil at a 45 degree angle, with all the tops pointing the same direction down the row. Space them about 12” apart, and cover the cuttings with 2-3” of soil.
• The plants will eventually be 24” tall and 18” wide.
• Here’s the interesting part – the roots are lifted and stripped twice during the growing season!
  1. When the first leaves are 8-10” long, carefully remove the soil from around the upper ends of the main root. Leave the roots at the lower end undisturbed. Raise the crown and rub out all but the best sprout—the best crown of leaves. Rub off all the small roots from the crown and the sides of the main root, leaving only those at the bottom. Return the set to its original position and replace the soil
  2. The second lifting is 6 weeks after the first lifting.
• Horseradish will make its best growth in late summer and the fall, so leave them in the garden until late. Harvest before the soil freezes.
• Harvest by digging a trench alongside the row (12” or more deep). Then, position yourself and your shovel on the other side of the row from the trench and carefully dig the roots. Use the tops of the plants as a handle to help pull them up from the loosened soil. You’ll want to harvest the main root and the lateral (side) roots.
• Cut the tops off, leaving only 1”, and wrap the roots in dark plastic. Store them in a refrigerator. Don’t let them get light or they’ll turn green.
• You can save some for next year’s crop:
  1. Use the bottom and lateral (side) roots that are 8” long or longer.
  2. Cut the roots squarely across the top end, and at an angle across the bottom end. That way you’ll know which way is down when you plant them.
  3. Place the roots in moist sand and store them at 32—40 degrees F until spring.

  4. -or-

  5. An alternate method to get next year’s planting is to leave some roots in the garden, un-dug, over winter. Dig the roots as soon as new growth starts in the spring. Replant lateral roots as you did the spring before.
  6. If Horseradish is left undug for a few years, the roots get stringy and woody.
• Bits of Horseradish roots left behind in your garden will often grow on their own. They’ll start a take-over of your garden. Just be aware of this. Some gardeners grow Horseradish in a large deep pot and thus contain the spread.