The Foolproof Method for Harvesting Horse Radish the Right Way

Whether you enjoy horseradish as a condiment on your food or consume it for its health benefits, including antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic effects, knowing how to properly harvest this rough and often spicy (yet flavorful) root vegetable is key.

Ahead, horticulture experts share insights regarding the best times to harvest horseradish, along with some best practices to follow and common pitfalls to avoid.

When to Harvest Horseradish

You want to make sure you’re harvesting this root vegetable at the proper time to maximize its benefits. Carol Waters, a commercial fruit and vegetable production extension educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, says you should aim to harvest horseradish annually.

“Horseradish is best harvested anytime after the first hard frost and the ground is not frozen [as] this allows sufficient time for the plant to maximize root growth and start storing starch/sugars in response to cooler temperatures,” says Elizabeth Ann Wahle, Ph.D., an extension specialist specializing in commercial agriculture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She adds that if you harvest prematurely, you risk harvesting undersized roots and a root vegetable that didn’t reach its full potential regarding its flavor and heat.

That said, fall before the soil freezes is generally the best time to harvest horseradish. While Waters notes that there aren’t too many visual cues to indicate when it’s time to harvest horseradish, Charlotte Welliver explains that you can generally expect it to be ready for successful harvest about one year after planting.

How to Harvest Horseradish

Horseradish is different from several other plants and vegetables in that it grows from a portion of its main root instead of a seed. This impacts how it’s harvested. Horseradish can be harvested using various manual and mechanical techniques. “Manual digging is one method used by gardeners or small-scale producers, whereas mechanical digging is used in the large-scale production of horseradish,” says Linda Langelo, an extension horticulture specialist at Colorado State University.

Harvesting manually with a garden fork is generally the recommended and often the most effective approach.

Wahle recommends loosening the soil about a foot from the plant’s base before pulling, while avoiding fracturing pieces of the root. After lifting the plant, you’ll want to cut off some of the offshoot roots. Waters and Wahle note that it’s a good idea to save roots eight inches or larger (typically up to 12 inches) for next season.

The University of Minnesota Extension team explains (in the article “Growing Horseradish in Home Gardens“) that you should “cut the roots squarely across at the top and slope towards the bottom. This will make it easier to know which end to set upright at planting time.”

If you plan on consuming your horseradish shortly after harvesting, it needs to be washed and stored properly in a sealed plastic bag before refrigerating. If you plan on storing it for a longer period, you can either do so in a root cellar with sand or a plastic bag with moist sand in the refrigerator, explains Wahle.

Harvesting Horseradish Dos and Don’ts

Read on for some expert-approved tips for harvesting horseradish for the best results:

• Do harvest following a frost event: Wahle notes that waiting to harvest horseradish until after a frost event can help ensure you’re collecting a vegetable with optimal flavor and root size.
• Don’t use a shovel: “Shovels are more likely to slice through roots, leaving root pieces behind that can germinate and become weedy over time,” explains Wahle.
• Do harvest yearly: “Don’t forget to harvest horseradish on a yearly basis,” says Waters. “If left in for a second season, the roots will become woody and stringy.”
• Do water before harvesting: Wahle advises irrigating the area before harvesting your horseradish to prevent the roots from breaking.
• Do refrigerate following a harvest: Refrigerate harvested horseradish immediately to maintain its quality, instructs Wahle.
• Don’t forget to loosen the soil: “Don’t fail to loosen the soil enough around the root system before lifting to avoid root breakage,” says Wahle.
• Don’t rush to harvest your horseradish: You want to avoid prematurely harvesting horseradish. “Wait for full root and flavor development that comes with cooler temperatures,” says Wahle.

About the Experts

• Linda Langelo is an extension horticulture specialist at Colorado State University and producer of The Relentless Gardener podcast.

• Carol Waters is a commercial fruit and vegetable production extension educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

• Elizabeth Ann Wahle, Ph.D., is an extension specialist specializing in commercial agriculture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Sources

• Lancaster.unl.edu: “Horseradish”

• Extension.umn.edu: “Growing horseradish in home gardens”

• Extension.psu.edu: “Growing Horseradish”

The post The Foolproof Method for Harvesting Horse Radish the Right Way appeared first on Family Handyman.

For top-notch cleaning services, look no further than mj cleaning services, where quality and customer satisfaction are our top priorities. Whether you're in need of a one-time cleaning or ongoing maintenance, m j cleaning services offers a wide range of options to suit your requirements. With a reputation for excellence, m.j. cleaning services delivers professional and reliable cleaning solutions to ensure your home or office stays pristine and welcoming.