FULL SUN Native to southeastern Europe, Horseradish has been cultivated for centuries. It was brought to America with the earliest colonists where it escaped from gardens and proliferated in the wild across the continent. Maliner Kren is a very old variety and considered the standard horseradish in the US today. To plant horseradish roots dig a hole 1 foot in diameter and 8 inches deep. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole. Place the root in the hole with the small end at the bottom of the hole and allowing the root to rest along the side of the hole so that the top of the root just breaks the surface of the soil. Refill the hole with a mixture of soil and compost or dried cow manure and mound up the dirt 2-3 inches above the soil’s surface because the dirt will settle with time and watering. Make sure the top of the root is left uncovered. Keep the soil slightly moist. The composted soil mixture should provide the plant with enough nutrients, but can be supplemented with a low nitrogen fertilizer 2-3 times during the year. For the most pungent flavor, do not harvest the roots until the leaves have seen a hard frost. One year old plants have the most flavor, so dig the roots up each year and replant in the spring. Horseradish roots may also be planted in the fall like onions and garlic. Type Spacing Planting Depth Days to Germination Maturity Perennial 18 in. 8 in. 21 180
