Q. I really enjoy the blog. Had a question for you.I planted some
horseradish about a month ago. It’s growing nicely (I think — first time I’ve
planted it). But I have five-six nice big leaves coming off the plant.I was
wondering when I can tell it’s ready for harvest. I’ve looked online, but most
of the instructions involve spring planting and a fall harvest. Since I planted
in fall, per the extension service instructions, is there a way to know when
they’re ready to harvest?
horseradish about a month ago. It’s growing nicely (I think — first time I’ve
planted it). But I have five-six nice big leaves coming off the plant.I was
wondering when I can tell it’s ready for harvest. I’ve looked online, but most
of the instructions involve spring planting and a fall harvest. Since I planted
in fall, per the extension service instructions, is there a way to know when
they’re ready to harvest?
A. Horseradish does quite nicely here for a northern climate
perennial but it needs time to develop its roots where we derive the spicy condiment.
After the leaves have fully established, it will take two or three months, at a
minimum, for harvestable roots (rhizomes).
perennial but it needs time to develop its roots where we derive the spicy condiment.
After the leaves have fully established, it will take two or three months, at a
minimum, for harvestable roots (rhizomes).
It is in
the mustard family where many members have spicy leaves and stems used in
salads. This is perennial mustard so it sprouts from its underground rhizomes
each year. The rhizome can be dug in the fall or spring, divided and replanted
again to create new plants.
the mustard family where many members have spicy leaves and stems used in
salads. This is perennial mustard so it sprouts from its underground rhizomes
each year. The rhizome can be dug in the fall or spring, divided and replanted
again to create new plants.
In colder
parts of the United States most planting is done in the spring. But here in the
semi-south (actually we are in a ‘Transition Zone’ climatically between north
and south), we can plant a lot of things in the fall that are recommended for
spring planting in the north.
You could plant
during our entire winter if you are careful and have a warm microclimate, or
create one, in your garden. Our real “winter” here is the summer months which
are more brutal to plants than our winter.
during our entire winter if you are careful and have a warm microclimate, or
create one, in your garden. Our real “winter” here is the summer months which
are more brutal to plants than our winter.
If your
plant got two or three months of good growth before fall I would’ve told you to
harvest it, divide the rhizome and let it heal and then replant. Now that we
are in the second week of November I think it is a little dangerous to
recommend that unless you have that warm microclimate I was talking about.
plant got two or three months of good growth before fall I would’ve told you to
harvest it, divide the rhizome and let it heal and then replant. Now that we
are in the second week of November I think it is a little dangerous to
recommend that unless you have that warm microclimate I was talking about.
I would wait
until February to mid-March to dig it, divide the rhizome if it needs dividing,
let it heal for 48 hours and replant it. If the rhizome has not given you
enough growth for it to be divided, then I would just replant it.
until February to mid-March to dig it, divide the rhizome if it needs dividing,
let it heal for 48 hours and replant it. If the rhizome has not given you
enough growth for it to be divided, then I would just replant it.
Horseradish
is a tough plant. In some parts of the country it is so tough it can be
invasive in the garden. Any little section of the rhizome left in the ground
after digging can create new plants. So you do not need a big part of that
rhizome to start a new one.
is a tough plant. In some parts of the country it is so tough it can be
invasive in the garden. Any little section of the rhizome left in the ground
after digging can create new plants. So you do not need a big part of that
rhizome to start a new one.
There are
some critical gardening tips that you need to follow when planting or
replanting horseradish or any plant started from rhizomes.
some critical gardening tips that you need to follow when planting or
replanting horseradish or any plant started from rhizomes.
- Make sure the knife
you use when dividing the rhizome is clean and sanitized. The cuttings you
prepare for replanting can be anywhere from 3 to 6 inches in length.
- Plant the
rhizomes horizontally about 2 inches deep and about a foot apart. Don’t plant until
all fresh cuts, or any damage to the rhizome, has had time to heal.
- Heal the
rhizomes by placing them in a warm spot (warm compared to outside, 60F or so)
for 48 hours. This will allow any cuts or damage to begin to suberize or begin
the healing process.
- Be careful
not to re-damage the rhizomes when planting. Those parts of the rhizome that
recently healed can be damaged easily.
- Make sure
the soil has been prepared with good quality compost to a depth of 18 inches.
Horseradish likes composted manure and prefers to be kept moist but not overly
wet. It can survive droughty conditions but is not productive.
- It likes
surface mulches 2 to 3 inches deep that keeps the soil moist and cool. You
should dig them during the cool fall or spring months for harvesting and
replanting for best flavor.
Use the
large central root for cooking and the smaller, side roots for planting.
Horseradish root will go bad very quickly after you start shredding or grating it
for cooking. The root oxidizes quickly which ruins the flavor.
large central root for cooking and the smaller, side roots for planting.
Horseradish root will go bad very quickly after you start shredding or grating it
for cooking. The root oxidizes quickly which ruins the flavor.
Use it as
soon as possible after harvest. Shredded or grated horseradish root can be
stored in vinegar for short periods of time as this will help keep it from
oxidizing. If you are storing it in the refrigerator, keep the roots moist and in
long pieces until you need it.
soon as possible after harvest. Shredded or grated horseradish root can be
stored in vinegar for short periods of time as this will help keep it from
oxidizing. If you are storing it in the refrigerator, keep the roots moist and in
long pieces until you need it.
It will
probably store in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 weeks in more humid areas
such as the crisper. It can store longer than this but you would need more
sophisticated storage than just a refrigerator.
probably store in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 weeks in more humid areas
such as the crisper. It can store longer than this but you would need more
sophisticated storage than just a refrigerator.