Horseradish is also known as “horseradish” in southern Germany and Austria and has always been grown in cottage gardens as a spice plant. The main root is served in grated form as a condiment or used fresh and dried to make sauces and seasoning mixtures.
When and how do I harvest horseradish?
Horseradish is best harvested in autumn when the leaves wither. Gently dig up the roots with a spade or leave them in the ground at a frost-free depth and harvest as needed. When harvesting, pay attention to the lateral roots so that you can grow the horseradish again later.
Laying the foundation for a good harvest
Planting the side roots of the horseradish, known as Fechser, lays the foundation for a satisfactory harvest. The fencers saved from the previous season must be planted according to certain criteria:
- in a humus-rich and deep soil
- correct side up according to your cutting mark
- with the upper end five centimeters underground
- with the lower end about ten centimeters below the surface of the earth
A straight and strong taproot can only grow if the Fechser is planted at an ideal angle.
Proper care of horseradish for a rich harvest
To grow horseradish from March and April, the soil in the respective bed should be fertilized with fresh manure about six to eight weeks beforehand. If the upper third of the root is briefly exposed in June and freed from lateral root attachments, the energy supply from the long leaves is better concentrated on the development of the main root. In summer, you can also add light fertilizer to provide the horseradish with enough nutrients.
Harvesting the horseradish
As soon as the leaves of the horseradish wither in autumn, the growth of the sought-after and spicy roots is complete. They can then be carefully dug out with a spade. The roots can also remain in the ground at a frost-free depth and can be gradually harvested and consumed fresh throughout the winter. For storage in the cellar, the roots are removed from any leaves that are still attached using a knife and then wrapped, unwashed, in moist sand.
Store horseradish properly
A simple and inexpensive way to store horseradish is to leave the roots in the bed in a frost-free depth of soil. Even when planted in moist sand, the roots last for several months, but lose some of their sharpness. Horseradish can also be gently dried in grated form and stored in screw-top jars for use as a spice.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to harvest horseradish again next year, you should pay attention to the side roots of the horseradish called Fechser when harvesting. Use a knife to separate this from the main root so that you can still see the upward side for replanting in spring. Store the fencers unwashed and ideally in sandboxes in a cool basement. If you do not want horseradish to propagate in your garden, you must dig up all the root parts. Otherwise, the horseradish can sprout again even from the smallest pieces of root.