Armoracia - Horseradish

DESCRIPTION: A. rusticana, the Horseradish, is a hardy, perennial herb, native to southeast Europe. It is such a zealous and stubborn plant that is has escaped from gardens and naturalized in some areas. Horseradish grows 2 to 2½ feet high at maturity and has large, coarse foliage resembling the common weed curly dock. The thick, deep root is edible.

POTTING: Horseradish doesn't need a lot of attention nor does it require the best ground. It can be grown in a shady or sunny spot. The Horseradish will produce a plant from the tiniest piece of root, therefore, it should be watched carefully. One way to keep it under control is to sink a 30 gallon, plastic garbage pail, which has had the bottom cut out, 12 inches into the ground for stability and fill it with potting soil within 2 inches of the top. Plant it with a root cutting in the spring. In midsummer, remove about 18 inches of potting soil and rub off any side roots from the main root; replace the potting soil. In late fall, the roots are harvested. The summer rubdown will have prevented branching and left you with a long, smooth root. Cut off any side roots and plant them in a bed of moist sand, mulched against freezing. Most will have rooted by the following spring. Horseradish should be harvested every year to prevent the plants from taking over your garden. Old roots are stringy and make poor Horseradish dressing.

PROPAGATION: Root cuttings are used to increase your Horseradish plants. In early spring, they should be planted 8 or 9 inches apart and covered with 3 or 4 inches of soil.

VARIETIES: A. rusticana. Maliner Kren is the true Bohemian variety.

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