How to Plant Horseradish

Plant horseradish root cuttings in early spring, upright or at a 45-degree angle, covered with 2–3 inches of soil and 12–18 inches apart. Dig roots in late fall.

When to plant
Early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked
Depth
Upright or at a 45-degree angle, top of the cutting 2–3 inches below the soil
Spacing
12–18 inches apart
Sun
Full sun
Water
Keep the soil moist; mulch to hold it
Soil
Deep, rich, moist loam worked 8–10 inches deep; not hard, shallow or stony ground

Step by step

  1. Choose a sunny spot where horseradish can stay contained. Every scrap of root left in the ground grows a new plant.
  2. Loosen the soil 8–10 inches deep and work in plenty of well-rotted compost.
  3. Set each cutting upright or at a 45-degree angle, with the thicker end up and the thin, tapering tip pointing down.
  4. Cover the top with 2–3 inches of soil and firm it.
  5. Space cuttings 12–18 inches apart and water in.
  6. Mulch with compost or leaves to hold moisture and keep weeds down.

After bloom

Wait to harvest until late October or November, just before the ground freezes, or until early spring before growth resumes. Dig a trench alongside the row and use the leafy tops as a handle to ease the roots out sideways. Year-old roots have the best flavor; older ones turn woody. Store roots in moist sand at 32–40°F. Any root you miss comes back next spring, so dig thoroughly to keep the patch in bounds.
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