Q's about horseradish

[silvermam]

Hubby loves horseradish with his sunday roast but I have no idea what sort of plant it is is it easy to grow, does it get big has it got any special needs lots of sun little sun etc etc. I'd like to have a go at growing some but i'm not sure if I can since my fingers are only slightly green (they used to touch plants and kill them but I think I'm growing out of that)

Thanks
V

[Snadger]

It's a bit like a giant dock, and will take over your garden if you allow it to! It will grow anywhere but you don't need much to make sauce!


Best confined in a metal bucket sunk in the ground, similar to the way you treat mint!

[Mrs Dobby]

Have to agree with Snadger, it grows mad! We had some in our plot, thought we'd dug it all up, but its back again now! Ah well, its not in a bed, but right at the front in a border, so it can stay there!

[Raised Beds]

Bought a couple of roots to try this year from Wilcos for £1.50 each.

Will take all the roots out at year end to prevent the said spread.

[silvermam]

Cool Thanks for the advice I'll have to see where I can get some around here.

Thanks!
V

[Nicos]

I grow on acidic peat and although we brought about 4 plants with us from our previous lottie, ours has just about held it's own and not spread at all!
(not cropped any either for 3 years so it might taste eugh!)
Maybe it's too boggy or the wrong pH - but sounds like I've got the 'ideal' growing conditions for horseradish!!!

[Smuff]

Hi
I contain my horseradish by sinking a plastic bucket (with the bottom cut out - B&Q are currently selling plastic builders buckets for 98p). This helps prevent spreading of all the finer roots and gives you a fighting chance of removing the whole plant at harvest time; as stated above anything left in the ground will regenerate and swamp your garden, town and ultimately the world.
If you prepare the ground with lots of organic material and give the plant plenty of depth (I over did it slightly and managed about 2' of well prepared soil) then you end up with a nice, thick straight root. I think of it as being similar to dandelion/parsnip/carrot - if the ground is stoney and crappy you end up with thin, forked roots.
You use what you want and divide the rest into 6" sections (I think these are called thongs) for replanting.

[silvermam]

I didn't realise you could just cut some of and plant it. I'll have to ask around to see if anyone in my area is growing some as they don't seem to have it in any of the shops. when would you harvest? or just anytime you need some?

Thanks,
V

[rustylady]

Bought a couple of roots to try this year from Wilcos for £1.50 each.

Will take all the roots out at year end to prevent the said spread.

It's tap rooted, so a bit like dandelions and docks. When you say you are going to clear the whole bed I wish you luck. If you miss a little bit it will re=grow

[phil the shed]

try wilkinsons for horseradish root about £1.50 each in stock last week

pts

[silvermam]

Thanks for that I will have to find a one near me.

V

[Smuff]

I didn't realise you could just cut some of and plant it. I'll have to ask around to see if anyone in my area is growing some as they don't seem to have it in any of the shops. when would you harvest? or just anytime you need some?

Thanks,
V

If you plant now then I would tend to harvest towards the end of the year (around about September/October). The root needs some time to bulk up to make it worth picking; if you're looking to pinch a bit from an established plant to grow then I guess as long as it's dormant then it can be dug up, and replanted.
I don't think it's an easy thing to store, so if you want a steady supply of horseradish throughout the year you need a number of plants which can be lifted and used as needed.

[silvermam]

Could I just put some in several buckets? they wouldn't need to be huge would they? If I get a few bits I could divide one root up to fill several buckets right?


Thanks V

[Smuff]

Don't know
I received and planted 6" roots a number of years ago and simply keep going with that format.
You could give it a go I suppose.

[Carrot]

Although it doesn't store well as plant or root, once you harvest it, you can grate it (it will sting your eyes like mad, be warned) and then freeze it like that. When you want to make horseradish sauce, just mix some of the grated stuff with a pinch of sugar, a drop of wine vinegar, a tiny pinch of salt and some double cream - and, hey presto, there's your horseradish sauce.