How & when to harvest horseradish?

[Smiles Jr.]

I've never been in charge of the horseradish harvest around here and now I find myself as the only one to do it. Our horseradish plants look very good this year and I'm anxious to get into it. I have read somewhere that I should wait until the first good frost before digging up the roots. And that all you need to put back in the ground is a small piece of root for each plant you want to re-grow. But that's the limit of my knowledge on this topic.

When do you guys harvest?
How do you harvest?
How do you prepare the root?
Can you share a recipe for dinner table use?

Any other tips? Thanks.

 

[journey11]

I'll be curious to know as well. My horseradish (thanks Lesa!) is looking good this year too, but it's only a little over a year old, so I wasn't sure if I should touch it yet.

Got a 1/4 a beef coming in Nov., so I may be needing some for those roasts!

 

[hoodat]

Actually you can harvest horse radish roots any time of the year. It's just easier to get to it in the late Fall when the other garden chores are winding down. Don't worry about replanting. The tiniest bit of root left behind will grow into a new plant. The problem with horse radish is usually getting rid of the plants that grow where they aren't wanted. NEVER rototill where horse radish has been or you'll spread it all over the place.

 

[lesa]

I am ashamed to say that my horseradish is so big- I can't even walk through the aisle anymore!! Yes, I think you get the hottest flavor after a frost. All we do is chop it up in the food processor, put it into a jar and cover it with vinegar. We do put a little vinegar in the processor- just for liquid. I am warning you- do not open that lid and stick your nose in there!!!! We nearly went blind last year doing this. We just take it out of the jar, and use it. If you prefer the creamy type- I would make it a serving at a time. The plain horseradish and vinegar last for a long time in the fridge. Eventually, it does lose its heat.
I will be happy to share horseradish root with anyone who wants to start a patch. Just remember don't put it in the middle of your garden- find a secluded spot where you won't care if it spreads.... Glad yours took off Journey. I don't think you would hurt it, if you harvested a bit this year...

 

[journey11]

Yea!

Thanks for all the tips too!

 

[seedcorn]

Mom's rule. Any month with an "R" in it

 

[Smiles Jr.]

Do you simply pour vinegar over it? How much? Any spices?

 

[journey11]

What I've bought at the store prepared that way only had enough vinegar to soak it, not much at all.

 

[Smiles Jr.]

I'm glad to hear that I can harvest at different times. That way we will have a bit more steady flow of goodies from our plants. We have three very large tractor tires way back in the weed covered corner of our property that are used as raised bed planters and they are full of horseradish plants. If I remember correctly it was planted this way 10 or more years ago to minimize the aggressive nature of the plant.

Side note: We have truck/tractor tire raised bed gardens in various remote locations in our "north forty" where Mrs. Smiles and our kids have planted assorted invasive plants over the years. The tires seem very efficient in keeping the invasiveness in check. Sometimes when I use the brush mower in remote areas I'm surprised by a new discovery. Sometimes it reminds me of archeology explorations on National Geographic.

I'll let you guys know my horseradish turns out next month.

 

[lesa]

Great idea to keep it contained, Smiles.... wish I had thought of that about 5 years ago!! You sure will not need to add any spices to your horseradish! Remember, don't take a deep breath after you chop it! It will be hard to keep on smiling, if you do!