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 New Zealand - cool/mountain 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

25 Jan 14, John potter (Australia - tropical climate)
Bunnings have some very nice plants ,
06 Dec 20, Vicki (Australia - temperate climate)
Bunnings sell a very small plant for $15.
13 Apr 21, Werner verwuster (Australia - temperate climate)
Where are sizable,horseradish roots for plants available in the Perth area
07 Oct 10, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I too have been looking for horseradish. Isabel Sheppard sold me some when we lived on the Sunshine Coast but it died and anyway, you cannot bring plants to Tas.
11 Nov 10, Will (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Head to Chung Sing's vegetable wholesaler in Campbell St and you can buy some if in stock otherwise they can ring the supplier and order some in. Transplant that.
13 Dec 10, Krystyna Clark (USA - Zone 7a climate)
It's 18 degress right now - tonight will be in single digets. Will stay that way for a week - can i still plant horseradish?
15 Jan 14, Debbie Schwitzer (USA - Zone 7a climate)
If it is celcius, then yes, otherwise, "Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F."
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.
18 Dec 10, Ted (Australia - temperate climate)
I have it growing out of control in SW Victoria
Showing 11 - 20 of 523 comments

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.

- Pauli

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