Planting
Plant horseradish into a well prepared, weed free bed. Place the root piece with
the flat end up and the slanted end down at a 45 degree angle in the soil. The
flat end should be 2" below the soil surface. The size and diameter of the
horseradish root does not determine the ultimate size of the plant. Horseradish
is an extremely vigorous plant and given a small amount of attention, will
flourish in most any garden situation. Space plants 10"-12" apart in the row
with 3' between rows. Divide your horseradish plant every year or two if you do
not harvest the roots.
Weeding & Fertilizing
Plants usually grow vigorously enough to shade out weeds within the row. Weed
between the rows as needed throughout the summer. Horseradish is not a heavy
feeder. A fertilization of 5lbs of 10-10-10 per 100 sq. feet in the spring will
work well.
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Harvest
You can start to harvest horseradish roots the next spring after planting;
however, if you wait until fall, your roots will be larger. Dig the plants and
harvest as many roots as you like. Any roots left in the soil will re-sprout
into new horseradish plants.
Use
The most popular use of horseradish is as a condiment. Here is an easy recipe to
try:
Wash, peel, and dice horseradish roots. Place them in a grinder or blender with
a small amount of water and a couple of ice cubes. Cover tightly and grind until
desired consistency is reached. Vinegar or lemon juice stops the enzyme process
that gives horseradish its bite. Add 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice
and ½ teaspoon of salt per cup of horseradish sauce. Add immediately for a mild
sauce; wait up to 3 minutes for a hot sauce. Store in a covered glass jar in the
refrigerator or the freezer. |