Tell me about growing horseradish.

You usually buy roots and dig them in the soil.
It is perennial, so you will have it forever.
It does not spread rapidly---especially if you dig the roots.
They say if you want to grind it----to grind it outside as it smells awful.
Sometimes I dig a root for a neighbour who adds small pieces to her dill pickles.

Horseradish is a nice plant---large green leaves, and every so often it will throw up white flowers.

I have had it in my herb garden for I think 4 years and keep forgetting to harvest the roots. I find it a bit of a coarse looking plant and haven't yet seen any flowers (I'll keep my eye out this year). It spreads some, but not aggressively. I also seem to have problems with something eating it, you can see the little holes in this photo - not sure what that is, but sometimes a whole leaf is almost skeletonized. Hasn't seemed to affect the vigor though, it's a strong plant. Gets about 2' tall for me.

Flowered:

Very pretty in flower, Caroline!

We enjoy growing (and eating) horseradish. Just like Deb said, something loves to eat the leaves, which surprised me in the beginning because I didn't think it would have many pests. But, I think there are several pests, one is a beetle that makes lace out of the leaves. We sprayed with soapy water to try to get rid of them... I think they are under control now (kinda).

In spite of pests, we like growing this plant and have-not found it to be aggressive here the northeast part of Texas.

Is it fussy about soil or drainage, a water hog or happy when it is kinda dry? Sun, shade, part sun?

Mine is in full sun, good soil, although I'm not sure it needs all that. I don't water unless we have a long stretch with no rain (unusual but not unheard of). Haven't had it wilt on me. It strikes me as a tough as nails plant.

Thanks, tough as nails is what I need.

Yes, mine is probably 15 to 20 years old.
Tough plant for sure.

I must be the first person to kill horseradish. Acquired a small root cutting last year, it grew over summer and fall. Then I dug it up to grind, should have left it, there was not enough to return this year. Have to try again.

Don't feel bad, we all do things like that!

I have tried moving roots from this original planting----and they died!
I think that I have one that has taken root.

We had it in our garden years ago. We were told to dig the roots in months with an r in them. We dug it in September cleaned the roots and ground them up in a grinder you had to turn by hand then we added some white wine which helps temper the horseradish. We then put it in small jars added the covers and froze them getting out a jar as needed. We did the processing outdoors and still it has a very strong scent. A friend of my husband made his this way it was very good and not so strong flavored because of adding the wine.

It is odd that the flowers have a vanilla fragrance and are quite nice.
But the root when ground smells awful.
Thanks for a good recipe.

I wanted to do horseradish but my son thinks it is invasive?

Judy ~ you are not the first to kill it, been there, done that! But it took me two or three years.

Betty ~ if I recall (from growing up in MN) if you are slow to add the wine or vinegar, the horseradish heat will intensify.

Love the horseradish flavor! It is wonderful served with a variety of meats.

Kristi not sure about that but we added the wine as soon as it was ground up and it was mild as I don't like it strong.

I planted a 4" pot seven years ago and it has only spread to about 1 1/2' in circumference - very manageable.

It is not invasive here.

Deb, I think it needs a bigger pot.