Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), is a perennial plant, grown for its large, fleshy roots which are pungent, strongly aromatic. Use in the kitchen by mixing small amounts of horseradish with cream, sour cream, yogurt, mayonnaise, or cream cheese and dressings for sauces to serve with meat, fish and potatoes. It is best used right away, or kept in the refrigerator or other cool place. It can be stored in vinegar or oil in a screw top jar.
Harvest horseradish roots anytime from midsummer on, but for most pungent flavor wait until after the first frosts. One-year old plants have the most flavor, so dig it up and replant each season. The main root is harvested and one or more large offshoots of the main root are replanted to produce next year's crop. Older roots left in the ground become woody, after which they are no longer culinary useful, although older plants can be dug and redivided to start new plants.
Horseradish likes deep, moist soil but will tolerate almost any soil. A slightly acid soil is preferred. It likes full sun but will also grow in partial shade, however growth will be slower. You may want to find a place to plant Horseradish that is away from other garden areas, as it can become a weed, if gets out of the bed you prepared for it. Also it can be grown in containers, but make sure the containers are as large as possible because Horseradish roots need room to grow.
Horseradish plant is typically grown from root cuttings. Plant as early in the spring as you can. As soon as you get the root cuttings in early spring, plant them in the ground. Dig a hole that is deep enough to stand the root up in. While holding the root upright in the hole, back fill the hole until all but the crown of the root is showing. Once the root is planted, water your horseradish thoroughly and then leave it alone. Once your horseradish plant becomes established, it will be yours for life. After the first frost in the autumn kills the leaves, the root can be dug and divided. Horseradish left undisturbed in the garden spreads via underground shoots and can become invasive.
