Horseradish is a perennial plant that belongs to the plant family Brassicaceae and they are botanically known as Armoracia rusticana.
This plant is a very popular plant thanks to its spicy edible root which is believed to have been known in Egypt since 1500 BC.
The horseradish is a root vegetable that originates from temperate Eastern Europe and this plant is known for its ability to survive under partial shade, full sun, and cool climate and they develop very well in almost all locations because of their ability to resist drought.
Horseradish is interesting plants in that apart from their ability to add a hot spicy taste to food, they also grow wide and large and they produce white, miniature flowers with a yellow tiny structure which gives it an incredible appearance.
This plant is different from other spices, instead of giving a potent taste to the tongue or mouth, this plant is known for its ability to intensify its spicy flavor through the nose and sinuses.
Horseradish is known for its awesome health benefits which include clearing of the sinuses, body detoxification, immune system improvement, improving the health of the heart, and lots more and this plant can be consumed in food in different ways.
The horseradish is a good source of minerals such as magnesium, zinc, calcium, potassium, and manganese; dietary fibers, vitamins C, and folate.
There are different varieties of the horseradish plant that can be grown in homes; rather than purchasing horseradish from the market, growing your own plant around your home and being able to get it at your beck and call will be a different feeling on its own.
In some parts of the world, the horseradish plant is considered as invasive plants because of the ability to take over an expanse of land with its incredible growth pattern; however, you don’t have to fret as it can be easily controlled.
In this article, we will take you through how you can easily grow your own horseradish plant around your home and enjoy the benefit of a fresh, delicious, fascinating harvest. Have a great time gardening!
Types of Horseradish plants
Even though there are different varieties of the horseradish plant, they are generally grouped into two distinctive types.
Generally, horseradish is mostly cultivated for their roots and even though there are instances where other parts of the plants such as the leaves and crowns are used for certain things; it is important to note the type of plant you would love to grow.
There are 2 types of horseradish plants that we can choose from which are: “common” horseradish and “bohemian” horseradish. Below is the explanation of the different types of horseradish that we have:
The “common” type: this is the most popular type of horseradish around the world; it is known for its broad, crinkled leaves. This type of horseradish plant is also known for its ability to produce roots that are of higher or superior quality when grown. This is more susceptible to diseases and they have not been in any way improved.
The “bohemian” type: this type of horseradish plants are known for their ability to develop leaves that are narrow and smooth. The varieties of horseradish plants classified under this type produce roots that are of low quality. However, they are more resistant to the common white rust disease that affects the quality of the plant.
When is the right time to grow Horseradish Plants?
Growing horseradish plants is one of the most industrious and highly–a productive venture that anyone can go into.
Horseradish is a perennial plant, it has the ability to produce over years and they are also known for their incredible ability to retain their taste over time.
Knowing the right and appropriate time to grow horseradish plants is very essential as this will help you to determine the time of maturity of your plant.
The best time to grow horseradish plant is either during early spring or late fall. Below is an explanation on the two growing seasons of this incredible plant:
Late fall:
Since horseradish plants are cool climate plants, they are known for their ability to grow well when the weather is cold.
Planting during this period encourages the effective development of the plant within the soil until the growing season when it begins to germinate extensively.
Plant just after the first frost has occurred so as to ensure that the soil provides a cool environment for the plant at all times.
Early spring:
This is also a very good time to carry out the planting of horseradish. As soon as the winter period has passed and the soil is still a bit cool during spring, plant the plant so as to provide the root with the necessary condition to aid its germination.
Horseradish also thrives well under full sun and encourages more vegetative growth. As long as the root receives the proper care it will definitely germinate.
How to grow Horseradish plants at home
Horseradish can be propagated from its roots or crowns (the highest part of the plant) and they can be grown at a suitable location with a well fertile soil.
In this section of the article, we will take you through some steps involved in growing plants so you should read further to learn more about them. Below are the steps involved in growing horseradish plants:
Obtain roots or crowns to plant:
Horseradish germinates well from the roots as well as the crowns that are pre-cut. Roots and crowns of this plant can be easily purchased from grocery stores and greenhouses where plants parts are sold.
In most cases, these places do not have them ready so you might have to purchase them online and have it delivered to you.
However, if you purchased a fresh horseradish plant to consume, you can save the root for planting in fall or spring.
Select a suitable site:
Horseradish plants produce large leaves that can cover small vegetation around its growing area so you should choose a well-designated space for its growth.
You can choose a place that is close to the corner of the garden that receives sunlight well. The site of choice must be very fertile and well-draining.
This plant will also thrive in places that receive partial shade since they are cool climate plants. Make sure that the space chosen will not be disturbed over the years as they are perennial plants and they thrive over time.
Prepare the soil:
The soil at the area selected for planting should be well loosened to a depth of about 12 inches. The soil should be supplied with 4-6 inches of organic matter and 2 ounces of all-purpose, granular fertilizer per square yard of the growing region.
Check the pH level of the soil and ensure that it lies between 5.5 and 6.8 (this is the best range of soil pH for horseradish).
Make sure that the organic matter and fertilizer are well mixed with the soil and the pH should be adjusted if it is too low or high.
Make a planting hole:
Horseradish do not need a very deep hole to grow the plant and a hole not more than 1 foot is very sufficient.
If you are planting more than one stem, ensure that a spacing of 18 – 20 inches are placed between the two planting positions to ensure an efficient spread and growth of the plant.
Plant the horseradish diagonally:
The horseradish root or crown should not be more than 3-4 inches long and it should be placed in the hole in a slant position (about roughly 45 degrees).
The thinner portion of the root or crown should be pointed downwards as this will ensure the effective development of roots. The holes should be filled with compost to ensure the proper germination of the plant.
Water the plants regularly:
The horseradish plant should be watered well after planting but do not overwater as this can affect the plant. Your plant should be watered at least once or twice a week.
Overwatering and less watering will affect the taste of the plant and it can make it grow bitter – water to keep the soil around the plant base moist. Provide sufficient water to the plant base to ensure that the plant grows effectively.
Ensure fertilization:
Fertilizers work well with plants and you should use a type that is high in phosphorus and low in nitrogen as this will ensure the development of larger roots.
Also, fertilizer can also be used to boost the growth of the plant if it seems stunted in height. Fertilizer should be added during the spring and it can be supplied as granular then watered or mixed with water and sprayed to the plant base. Fertilization should be done once a year.
Prune suckers and weeds from plants:
The leaves developed by horseradish are regarded as “suckers’ and they develop with weeds which can cause excessive spreading on the plant.
However, it is important to prune the leaves to 3 – 4 leaf stalks that will encourage effective growth and prevent unnecessary spreading. Too many leaves on the plant also affect the shape of the plant root.
NB: horseradish plants are ready for harvest when the leaves of the plant have been killed by the fall frost. It is important that you exercise patience to ensure that the plant is matured enough for harvesting. Harvest usually falls within fall.
Conclusion
Growing the flavored horseradish plant that has been an important part of our garden is worth it and it is a plant that you can always look forward to annually as they produce quite beautifully well.
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
