Antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory: Because of its ingredients, horseradish was chosen as the medicinal plant of 2021. The spicy root is also an indispensable part of the kitchen, as it gives some dishes their characteristic note.
How to grow and use horseradish?
To grow horseradish, plant Fechser in sunny vegetable beds 60 cm apart in May, keep the substrate moist, fertilize with compost or manure and harvest frost-free between October and January. Use horseradish in the kitchen, for example in potato stews or as a cold remedy in the form of horseradish honey.
Cultivation
It's worth cultivating horseradish in your own garden because only the fresh sticks contain all the aromatic and vital substances. The perennial, completely winter-hardy perennial thrives in almost any soil and is not maintenance-intensive.
Place horseradish in a place where it can stay for many years. A root barrier can be useful because the plant is very vigorous.
Insert horseradish
Horseradish forms several lateral roots (Fechser) on the long taproot. The new horseradish plants are grown from these.
At the beginning of May, place the Fechser in the ground at a slight angle in a sunny corner of the vegetable bed. Since horseradish grows into sprawling plants, the planting distance should not be less than sixty centimeters. Then mulch with garden soil or mature compost.
In July, when the leaf shoots are about ten centimeters long, expose the roots at the head end. Cut off the side shoots and cover the roots completely with soil again.
Care
Kren requires permanently moist substrate to form thick rods. Therefore, when it is dry, water it thoroughly several times a week. For good yields, fertilize with compost or manure in May and July.
The high content of mustard oils makes horseradish insensitive to diseases and pest infestations. It is rarely affected by powdery mildew. You can successfully combat the fungus with a mixture of 700 ml of water and 300 ml of raw milk, which you use to thoroughly wet the plant.
Harvesting and storage
Horseradish is a winter vegetable. Harvest the stalks on frost-free days from October to January. To do this, use a digging fork to dig deep into the ground next to the roots and lift out the rhizomes.
Usage
Kitchen:
Potatoes and horseradish go wonderfully together. A few horseradish shavings, for example, give a winter potato stew a pleasantly hot and spicy note.
Medicine:
Horseradish honey is an old home remedy for colds:
- Grate about 100 g of horseradish very finely.
- Put the horseradish in 200 g of honey.
- Let it sit well closed for a day.
- Strain and store in a cool place.
- If you have a cold, take one teaspoon three times a day.
Tip
You can keep cut horseradish wrapped in a damp cloth in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for two to three weeks. Put the grated horseradish in a small screw-top jar and keep the seasoning cool.
