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 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

04 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try a nursery or seed selling website.
21 Jan 20, Krystyna (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I would love to plant horseradish in my garden is there anyone in Hamilton area who can spare a piece of root.
24 Jan 20, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
If you have Facebook Marketplace in NZ try that.
12 Jan 20, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I bought mine on trademe Cheers Lena
28 Feb 20, MO (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Be very careful when planting horseradish as it is invasive, confine it to a container.
10 Nov 19, keith walker (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hello, I have just moved to New Zealand and i am trying to find some Horseradish root to grow in my new veg patch. i am in Cambridge if anybody can help i would be very grateful regards Keith
16 Jan 20, Danielle Saunders (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Keith, I have just been given some horseradish plants. Would you like some once I have more? I'm in the waikato also. Email me [email protected] cheers.
28 Dec 19, Peter Collis (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Keith, Like you, I am also keen to get some horse radish plants as the stuff you can buy here is only the creamed sort and a bit bland. Did you have any luck finding a source?
11 Nov 19, anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Search for some seed selling companies on the internet in NZ.
28 Aug 19, Kay Walden (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Would really be grateful if someone in Southland has a piece I could strike a plant from please
Showing 11 - 20 of 58 comments

Hi Catherine, I use to mix the horseradish with beetroot and use it as a salad next to grilled steak or sausages. It is delicious! Ingredients: 3-4 small beetroots 1 small horseradish root Salt Splash of vinegar (optional – don’t use if using horseradish from a jar as it normally already contains vinegar) Mustard seeds (optional) Cumin seeds (optional) Method: 1. Rinse any mud off the beetroots and put them in a saucepan (metal is best; it might stain enamel) and cover them with water. 2. Bring the water to the boil and leave to boil for 30-40 minutes. 3. Drain the now very purple boiled water from the pan and refill with cold water and allow the beetroots to cool enough to be handled. 4. Clean off the skin (you should now be able to rub it off with your fingers, but use the flat of a knife to scrap it off if you like) and trim off any roots or stem stubs. (You can bake the beetroot and it will be more tasty and healthy) 5. Cut up the beetroots – you can grate it, julienne it, cube it, slice it...whatever you prefer. 6. In a separate bowl finely grate the horseradish. Be a bit careful here if you’ve never grated horseradish before as it’s tremendously powerful – I recommend you don’t hold your head over the bowl whilst grating it! 7. Teaspoon by teaspoon, add the horseradish to the beetroot and taste until you reach a combination you like. Don’t just throw it all in at once because if it’s too strong it’s hard to correct. Horseradish from the jar normally isn’t as powerful as fresh horseradish so you might need a few extra teaspoons. If you have any horseradish left over, put it in a small jar with some salt and vinegar and keep it for a dressing next time you prepare some beef or lamb. 8. Check the seasoning and add some salt and a splash of vinegar if you feel it needs it. 9. You can, at this point, add some mustard seeds (about a heaped teaspoon) or a sprinkle of cumin if you like these flavours. Mustard seeds aren’t so strong but be a little careful with the cumin as it can overpower. 10. Serve! Enjoy!

- Vali

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