Planting Horseradish for 2010 crop

[Durgan]

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?XSBFR 11 October 2009 Planting Horseradish for 2010 crop

Any shoot could be used, since the plant grows well with even a small piece. I chose a large chunk from the main shoot since the season is late. Usually I start the plant in a pot in July, but was away this year so am compromising. The pots will be dug up in early Spring, and planted in open ground with a square foot board under the plant to make digging easier. It is a bit wet or the procedure would be done now. The plant will form strong roots in the pot, since there is probably another month of reasonable growing left for this season. The plants could also be grown in the house to over-winter if desired. I treat the horseradish as an annual.

[hestlauss]

I planted a small horseraddish root in May of this year. When do you think it would be need to be divided and/or harvested?

[Durgan]

I planted a small horseraddish root in May of this year. When do you think it would be need to be divided and/or harvested?

Horseradish is a perennial. Roots can be dug from the plant anytime. The larger the plant the bigger the roots. As mentioned my horseradish is treated as an annual, and I start new plant each year. Any small root will propagate,and unless new plants are required dividing is not necessary.

Some people treat the plant as a perennial and eventually have a large area of horseradish, and dig a portion of the roots as required. A few small roots make a lot of horseradish. The plant spreads and is hard to eradicate in some climates. If a small quantity is required it is probably best to grow in a pot.

[hestlauss]

Thank you, based on what you said I think I will move it into a container to keep it from spreading too quickly. I already am trying to get rid of the quack grass that was on the property when we moved in...certainly don't need any other plants trying to take over.