If you have ever produced horseradish, you definitely know that it can be really invasive. Nothing can matter in this situation that how accurately you dig it, parts of the root will surely be left behind after which it will only be a great pleasure to spread and pop everywhere.
For its aggressive behavior, you should grow horseradish in container or pot. That will be a great option for your plant. Further, keeping them limited can stop them from spreading all over your garden and becoming more of a chore rather than a joy to grow.
Facts about Horseradish
- Furthermore, horseradish is a clump-forming perennial plant in the Brassicaceae family. It is grown from root divisions and can be much invasive.
- Horseradish is a common spice that joins a unique, pungent flavour to foods.
- It is usually used as a flavouring with meats and shellfish, or as a tart spice in sauces served with these foods. It also gives satisfaction to appetizers, canapé, relishes, dips, spreads, salads, salad dressings, sauces and gravies too.
- Many chefs use it liberally to give the food a “warm” taste. Others notice that a little amount of horseradish is enough to give a subtle, refreshing taste that transforms an average dish into something extra special.
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How to Grow Horseradish in Container?
- Firstly, you can grow new horseradish plants with the help of root parts that are around the diameter of a finger and are 12-18 inches long, and it will spread rightly. Therefore, you will not require more than one or three plants to feed the whole family.
- Then, dig holes nearly 6-8 inches deep and 12 inches aside. Plant one root per hole at about 45-degree angle with the crown, or high end, approaching the top at the soil line, and the short end at the bottom of the hole. After it, backfill the hole to cover the root crown with 2-4 inches of soil and then water the plant thoroughly.
- Furthermore, Spring-planted horseradish roots will be available for harvesting in the month of October. Harvest the roots in fall, preferably after the first frost. Dig throughout the base of the plant and pick up the large, central root and as many small roots as possible as this can help you further.
- Lastly, in frost-free weather, winter harvest is suggested. If you want to eat some young horseradish greens, cut them before the insects eat too many holes in them. Also, they grow back in a week or so.
Light
Usually, horseradish is a forgiving plant that can manage an extensive variety of settings. However, horseradish grows in full sun or partial shade.
Soil
Horseradish prefers somewhat acidic to neutralizing soil pH between nearly 6.0 to 7.5. A loose soil full of organic materials will provide the best roots.
Water
Horseradish is not a fussy or requiring plant, but if you keep the soil well-watered, you will get more satisfying quality roots. So the roots do not get woody in any way.
Temperature and Humidity
Horseradish prefers cool weather to grow. Its perfect daytime temperature varies from 45-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizer
Feed or Side-dress your horseradish each three to four weeks. You can fertilize with the help of manure, compost tea or a commercial 10-10-10 vegetable fertilizer.
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Propagation of Horseradish
If you want to grow horseradish as a perennial, you can leave some in your ground and harvest as needed, when the time comes. Just be sure of one thing that the more broken pieces left in the ground, the more plants you will have in the following growing season. On the other hand, you can pick up all the roots plus keep some for the next year. Keeping it is usually the preferred way as horseradish can be invasive.
Varieties of Horseradish
Common horseradish can be the single-variety you will find. There is also Armoracia rustic ‘Variegata’ with Marbard leaves, which is more ornamental.
How to Grow Horseradish in Pot?
Are you confused that how to grow horseradish indoors? Well here are your all questions solutions.
Horseradish is known for its tart, spicy taproot. This plant itself grows in bunches from the leaves that grow from that root. It grows to a height of around 2-3 feet. The leaves may be heart-shaped, tapering or a blend of both, and maybe smooth, shrunken, or lobed.
- Firstly, horseradish must be planted in spring nearby March time, in conditions that are either full sun or partially shaded. Horseradish requires plenty of space to dry and grow its soil well. Therefore, you will require a large pot or container which is deep plus has holes at the base for drainage purpose.
- Furthermore, you can grow horseradish in a 5-gallon bucket. While containers larger than 5-gallons will also work best, you shouldn’t go too small because you want enough room for the roots to grow. Ultimately, roots are the main thing.
- Fill up the pot with manure for nearly one inch below the rim. Put the root in the soil carefully, somewhat below the surface not more than 2 inches deep and at an angle of about 45 degrees. The tapered end must be placed in the beginning, with the crown end on top. Lastly, cover the root with soil plus water it well.
Caring for Horseradish plants
- Firstly, horseradish requires moist soil to grow well, therefore water them twice a week plus be assure the soil is never over dry or over wet. Manage the soil with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer in late spring or early summer too.
- Next, when the leaves are growing during the summer, discard any dead leaves plus cut off any sucker that is growing around the plant.
- Additionally, if you planting horseradish in containers more than one, assure that there is lots of space among them. Therefore, there is enough room for their roots to grow without any problem.
- Lastly, when the summer has ended, eliminate any dead growth from the plant. Quickly eliminate any weeds that grow within the pot or container.
How to Prune Horseradish Plant?
The good thing about horseradish is that pruning is optional. You just have to make sure of one thing that you keep suckers up from the competing with the central shoot. Throughout the growing season, a crown is formed with several shoots above ground. However, the original set increases in diameter with many sides forming covered. The aim is to make the original set as large as probable.
As soon as they develop, remove one or two leaf shoots on the head. Another concern is picking up, just digging through the ridge and gently lift the crown end with a spade to break any root on the crown; This makes the roots to grow at the tail end. This must be performed twice throughout the early plus mid-season. This will cause more swelling of the primary root, that can produce one to two pounds of the main root at the time of harvest.
Pests and Diseases
Some of the pests can really disturb horseradish plant, but there are many that will feed on leaves, including aphid, beet leafhopper, diamondback moth, flea beetle, and many more. Aphids can be washed away easily. Moreover, if additional pests becoming trouble, consider growing your horseradish in undercover.
Harvesting and Storing Horseradish
Harvesting
The leaves are approximately 12 inches long, and the roots will be 3 to 4 inches in diameter, after using the severed section of the roots as needed. Horseradish develops its most excellent growth in late summer and fall. Therefore, harvesting horseradish in containers is delayed by mid-autumn or later. Later, cut all the roots before freezing the land, otherwise, new plants will grow next year.
Storing and Preserving
You can store grated horseradish in a glass jar in your refrigerator for about two weeks. All roots of horseradish can be stored in moist sawdust plus kept for up to 10 months. Moreover, to freeze the horseradish, initially grind the roots and mix with vinegar and water and then store it properly.
While horseradish is planted in the soil, they spread like weeds. To prevent this from occurring, it is most beneficial to plant them in pots or other containers to solve this problem. When you, in the beginning, get your roots, plant them in the spring, fertilize them once. Moreover, save the soil moist but completely drained, eliminate any weeds or dead leaves from it, before winter comes. Cut them, take what you need and put the rest in fresh compost again and replant the rest for the following year.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting