Horseradish, also known as horseradish, is an acrid root commonly used to give a spicy and sour touch to foods; it is perennial and robust, it can grow in cold climates, in full sun or even partially in shade. Planting it in your garden allows you to have a lot of vegetables at your fingertips that you can use to season meats, fish, soups, sauces or even to add to fresh mixed salads to enrich their flavor.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Plant the Barbaforte
Step 1. Obtain the heads or roots of the plant
You can buy horseradish cutting at garden centers or supermarkets. most of the time these shops sell the crowns (the top of the plant) or the roots that are already cut and ready to be planted. Most gardeners start cultivation from the crowns, as the plant grows from the roots and only its weed-like flowers produce the seeds.
As with carrots or potatoes, the roots of the horseradish are also ready to be planted immediately
Step 2. Find a separate area to plant the horseradish
Look for a space in a corner of the garden or define a specific area, such as a barrel or a hanging pot in which to keep it to prevent it from overwhelming other plants. Its roots develop rapidly and thrives when the weather is cool; as a result, it can quickly spread throughout the garden if you don't keep it under control.
- It is a perennial plant; then identify an area that is suitable and where you want it to grow for years to come.
- If you have a small garden, look for alternative growing methods, such as terracing or using containers, such as half-cut barrels or Smart Pots (which you can find online).
Step 3. Make a hole approximately 12 inches deep
Loosen the soil to this depth where you decide to plant the horseradish; dig a hole that is wide enough to comfortably hold the roots along their entire length, as the plant should be planted slightly sloped. Keep it about 45-50 cm from the closest plants, so that the roots have plenty of space to spread and grow.
Step 4. Plant the horseradish diagonally
Place the crown or roots in the hole respecting an inclination of about 45 ° and with the final part, the thinnest one, facing downwards; this shrewdness allows the roots to radiate underground, while the leaves of the crown remain above the surface vertically. Fill the hole with some compost so that it acts as a compost.
The roots can be buried completely or you can leave the upper end exposed to be able to control its development
Part 2 of 3: Growing the Barbaforte
Step 1. Make sure it gets plenty of sunlight
Ideally, this plant should grow in some open space with plenty of sunlight, although a partially shaded area is also acceptable. Unlike other plants that are more susceptible to temperatures, the horseradish does not need direct sunlight to thrive, although it is useful for faster development; however, avoid burying it near walls, fences or under trees which could affect root growth.
It is a perennial plant. This means that it develops every year
Step 2. Water it once or twice a week
Its roots are able to perfectly retain moisture and therefore it is necessary to wet it rarely; you can water it more often in the hot summer months, when the soil tends to be drier. Be careful not to overdo it, as excess water is one of the few factors that can harm them.
To water it, it is sufficient to keep the soil surrounding the roots slightly moist, but not to soak it excessively
Step 3. Add fertilizer as needed
You should fertilize the plant during the spring with a product rich in phosphorus and low in nitrogen. To tell the truth, fertilizer is optional, as the compost you used at the time of planting should provide enough nutrients; however, it can still help the roots develop better. Pay attention to the growth of the horseradish and apply fertilizer if it appears to be developing poorly or if the soil is poor in nutrition.
Do not fertilize more than once for each growing season; in the case of horseradish, this means once a year during the spring
Step 4. Remove suckers and weeds
As the plant grows, long leaves, known as "suckers", begin to develop, as well as other types of weeds; you must therefore eliminate them as they arise, to prevent them from spreading too much. A healthy horseradish plant should only have 3-4 stems of foliage, more can cause unwanted growth, as well as irregularly shaped roots.
- Horseradish weed stems can spread to neighboring vegetation.
- Some of these take the form of tall, thorny stems that can produce white flowers; this is a clear sign that the plant has withstood a harsh winter climate.
Part 3 of 3: Harvesting and replanting the horseradish
Step 1. Wait until late autumn to harvest the root
As a cold-hardy vegetable, horseradish peaks in development and flavor after going through the frost season, so you need to wait until late fall before harvesting. Usually, it is necessary to wait about a year before the plant reaches full maturity from the initial burial; therefore, if you planted it in the fall, you will have to wait until the following fall.
- The growing season of horseradish is annual, from fall to fall.
- An intense frost often kills the leaves growing on the crown of the plant; this is a good way to tell if it is ready to be extracted.
Step 2. Loosen the soil around the roots and remove the horseradish
Use a shovel or trowel to gently remove the earth surrounding the stem leaves; when the roots are visible, grab them and pull until the entire root system comes out. The fully developed horseradish reaches an average of 15-25 cm in length, so you have to dig deep so as not to damage it.
If you unintentionally sever some part of the root system, you could induce unwanted growth and spread
Step 3. Cut the horseradish into small sections for use or storage
Break off the stems of green leaves on the crown of the plant, which you can throw away or use as compost. Cut the horseradish into small thin sections that you can easily use later for cooking or other purposes; the one you don't use can be stored in food-grade plastic bags and refrigerated for three months or longer.
- If you plan on continuing to grow this plant, leave a few root segments in the ground when you harvest it.
- Wash and dry the roots thoroughly before using them in the kitchen.
Step 4. Re-bury the root sections to allow the plant to grow
If you decide to replant the harvested horseradish, cut it 7-10 cm from the crown (about halfway up the root) and put the root portion back into the earth, allocating only the part of the crown for food use; the roots settle on their own, so you can go back to regular watering and weeding.
- Although the crown can produce a new plant, you get better results if you re-plant the root system.
- If, on the other hand, you do not want the plant to remain after harvest, you need to make sure that there is no longer any trace of roots in the soil, otherwise it will continue to grow.
Advice
- Horseradish pairs well with full-bodied meats and fish, such as steaks, ribs, tuna and salmon.
- Probably, one or two horseradish plants are sufficient for most home uses; it takes very little.
- Fresh horseradish can be grated, ground, or chopped in a blender and added to various recipes to impart a pungent, tangy flavor.
- Plant it in a far corner of the garden or use a freestanding pot to allow it to grow without standing over other plants.
- You can use it in the kitchen or for medicinal herbal teas and clear the clogged sinuses.
