Step-by-Step Growing Guide
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is extraordinarily easy to grow and nearly impossible to eradicate once established — plan accordingly. It thrives in deep, loose, fertile soil at pH 6.0–7.0; compacted soil produces forked, deformed roots of poor quality. Work the bed to 50 cm depth and incorporate aged compost. Plant 20–30 cm root sections (thongs) in spring, angled at 45 degrees with the top 5 cm below the soil surface to control crown development and produce straighter roots. Space 30–60 cm apart in rows 60 cm wide. Water regularly during the growing season, especially in dry periods, as water stress causes hot but woody, fibrous roots. Feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring and again in midsummer. To prevent the plant from spreading uncontrollably, plant inside a buried container with the bottom removed (a 30-liter bucket works well) to contain lateral root spread. Harvest all root material in fall — any fragment left in soil will regrow.