Growing Horseradish

Armoracia rusticana : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
P P P           P P P P

(Best months for growing Horseradish in Australia - temperate regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • Easy to grow. Plant root pieces. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 50 cm apart
  • Harvest in 16-24 weeks. Some improvement in flavour if left till after frost..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best kept separate

Your comments and tips

23 Apr 16, Abiola Showunmi (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hello, I stay in pretoria, Arcadia to be precised, Pls where can I get fresh horseradish in south africa.
07 Apr 16, ERNESTA (Australia - arid climate)
am in Kenya where can i get them? even if it means by DHL i will meet the cost if i can get seedlings
02 Apr 16, kati (Australia - temperate climate)
Which kind of compost/potting soil is best for potted harseradish.
02 Apr 16, Yvonne (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where can I buy horse radish stock. I would like To grow my own
08 Mar 16, Jan Cannell (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy fresh horseradish? I bought several plants from my local nursery (wyee) but they are not ready for consuming for several months yet.
04 Mar 16, Brian yuill (Australia - temperate climate)
When to harvest horseradish
27 Feb 16, Gaill (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi...looking for horseradish plant or root to plant in Cape Town.... any suggestions ss to where to try?
28 Mar 16, Lauren (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi Gaill, I got mine from Hart Nursery in Ottery a couple weeks ago :)
15 Feb 16, Peter (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I'm from Centurion and had some horseradish plants. They died towards the end of 2015 in the drought but I managed to save a plant that is now doing well again. Make a note and contact me in August 2016 and I will give away some roots to start with in the new growing season. First-come-first-served. e-mail: [email protected]
08 May 16, Cari Dawes (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi,Peter...how your horseradish doing now?
Showing 241 - 250 of 529 comments

If the soil has too much nitrogen, it will not grow roots well (it doesn't really need thick roots in that case). Horseradish, while delicious, is basically a weed, and does best when treated as such. You want to basically keep it nitrogen-starved. Best soil for horseradish is nitrogen-poor, which causes much better root growth. (Also make sure the soil is loose). Pick the worst piece of dirt you have. Cultivate to about 2 feet deep. Mix in sand, perlite, or coconut coir if necessary, to keep the soil loose. The only nutrients you should add are phosphorus and sulfur (I use epsom salts in water for the sulfur). Only water as necessary. You need to make it struggle a bit for it to put its energy into the roots. I doubt you get frost where you are, but cold weather (and frost) helps the roots develop better flavor. Good luck!

- Mark

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