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

05 Jun 17, George Robson (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a couple of plantlings if you want one let me mnow
24 Jun 17, Sonya (Australia - temperate climate)
Interested. Postcode nsw 2502 Thankyou
20 Jun 17, Linda Morse (Australia - arid climate)
George I would love some plantings if you have some to spare. Please let me know cost of postage to pcode 4519
17 May 17, Yvonne (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I bought white radish at thane market and was told that is also horse radishould is it true?
17 May 17, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I once bought white radish (daikon) at a market and was told it was parsnip! radishes and horseradish are totally different plants. Radish is grown from seed and the root is harvested when it is ready. Horseradish can be grown from seed but is normally grown from root pieces. It is 'very friendly' and will spread whereas ordinary radishes will only grow from seed. Trust this helps
08 May 17, Andrew (Australia - tropical climate)
tasting store bought horseradish and reflecting how mild it is, how is it that (imitation) wasabi which is also made up of horseradish is so pungent.
10 May 17, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
Store bought horseradish cream contains less than 10% horseradish (this may vary) and contains vegetable oil, milk, etc which would tone down the bite. As real wasabi is expensive a lot of wasabi paste is boosted with mustard seed flour. This may also help explain the variation.
08 May 17, Andrew (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Darwin and would like to try and grow horseradish here. Hearing it likes frosts is it worth a try?
07 May 17, Elliot (Australia - temperate climate)
The best store bought horseradish I found was in the refrigerator section of The Kosher Providor, Plantation Street, Menora.
02 Apr 17, Beata (Australia - temperate climate)
Where I can buy horseradish plant? I leave south of Perth - Western Australia.
Showing 161 - 170 of 529 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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