Growing Horseradish

Armoracia rusticana : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

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

(Best months for growing Horseradish in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • Easy to grow. Plant root pieces. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 20 inches 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

09 Jan 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you no when ready to use
01 Apr 11, Pauli (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
As regards horseradish, I have grown this plant, but in my opinion, it would be a mistake to think you can plant it in April and harvest in 24 weeks time and have a useful root. For Horseradish to get a nice thick root, with the distinct pungent flavour, it takes a good two years per plant. And do not underestimate how much work it is to clean the dirt out before shredding the root. It is a wonderful taste and worth the hard work, but in my experience, you need to set up a dedicated bed, plant the roots and then prepare to wait a few years to get the cycle of having a constant supply of usable nice thick roots. The roots grow very deep into the soil (a good 2-3+ feet) so it is a good idea to leave some room around each group of plants, because you need to dig quite a wide hole to get the roots out. We always harvest at Easter here in Sydney. Bon apetit.
04 Jan 11, Józef (Australia - temperate climate)
After a trip to Poland in 2007 and 2009 I've grown to love horseradish. You can't buy it strong enough here so I want to grow my own or hope to buy some. I live in Sydney, Ryde area. Dziękuje
07 Jun 11, Laszlo (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Love the horseradish.Bought some recently, how do you keep it fresh?
18 Dec 10, Ted (Australia - temperate climate)
I have it growing out of control in SW Victoria
14 May 11, phil (Australia - temperate climate)
Hey Ted, Can you sell me some roots as well????
17 Jan 11, Jan (Australia - temperate climate)
Ted, with all these people wanting horseradish plants,you should consider filling this need with your 'out of control' supply. Plants will grow from apiece of root, so it shouldn't be difficult to send thru the post.Root cuttings are planted in early autumn.
27 Dec 10, Jan (Australia - temperate climate)
Ted, Would you be interested in selling some horseradish roots to me? If so, about how many could you supply and approximately at what price?Jan
14 Dec 10, Iris (Australia - arid climate)
I have grown ordinary radishes, but one is very long, not round like t he ot hers. How do I know if t his is a horseradish please
17 Dec 10, Liz (Australia - temperate climate)
Iris, horse radish is a completely different plant. It would be unusual if you had some seeds as they are usually grown from cuttings. What you might have is a daikon radish. They grow a long white root.
Showing 501 - 510 of 527 comments

Margaret, I haven't found the perfect time, the size of the leaves don't tell me anything. Last week I did use some, just scraping away surrounding soil and seeing the thickness of the root helped, the root was fairly thick, about the same as two fingers plus a little more. Getting it out is the hard part, the roots go down a long way so I cut the amount I needed and replaced the soil. Be careful if you do this because the root is very strong, a serrated knife worked o.k

- Roy

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