Horseradish - Grow and Preserve Your Own
Growing your own horseradish is a simple business. Best of all, once you grow a bit youll have it, for free, forever. Now thats what I call sustainable gardening! Horseradish is simple to prepare, preserve and make sauces with, so if you enjoy horseradish with beef or lamb, or just in your mashed potatoes why not grow your own. You dont even need a garden, just enough space for a pot and you can grow your own supply. What are you waiting for?
How to Grow Horseradish
- In mid winter to early spring buy a little fresh horseradish root from your local grocer.
- Plant two inch sections of horseradish any way up you like but flat is best, in a tall pot filled with well rotted compost. Plant in the ground if youve lots of room but prepare for it to spread about your plot. A section of drainage pipe is the best thing to plant in, as it will encourage long straight roots and prevent the plant taking over your garden!
- Water well.
- Thats it - water if it gets very dry in the summer and watch it flourish.
- Horseradish is a very rigorous plant but isnt a fan of hot sun, so if you live somewhere blessed with hot sunny summers, keep your horseradish in dappled shade.
- Through the summer you can eat fresh young horseradish leaves in your salads.
- In late autumn when all the leaves have died back dig up the horseradish, reserving a few sections to be replanted for next years crop.
How to Preserve Horseradish
If you dont want to eat all your horseradish in one go the best thing to do is preserve some. If you tackle this job when the roots are fresh from the ground youll find the flesh softer and peel thinner to deal with.
- Scrub and peel the roots.
- Grate finely, being careful not to breathe in too many horseradish fumes - its eye-watering stuff!
- Mix with vinegar, salt & sugar. For every 3 tbsp of horseradish add 1tbsp white wine vinegar, 1tsp sugar and a pinch of salt.
- Decant the mixture into sterilised jars, seal and refrigerate.
This preserved horseradish will keep for up to six months, stored in the refrigerator. You can use it as it is, or mix up with cream, mayonnaise, creme fresh or yogurt to create your own horseradish sauce.
Dont just eat your horseradish with beef, its great with oily fish, cabbage, potatoes, cowslaw and loads of other things too!
Weve got lots more easy to understand advice for growing your own vegetables, and ideas and recipes for preserving your harvest too.
For more information vegetable growing, composting and making the most of your crops visit our website: The Catalan Gardener