The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: suziequeue on March 13, 2015, 01:08:43 pm

Title: Correct soil for horseradish
Post by: suziequeue on March 13, 2015, 01:08:43 pm
i have decided to grow some horseradish from root but it says on the packet that it needs rich deep soil. We are on mid-wales clay here. Is that going to be a problem? I could dig a bigger hole and just in-fill it with some topsoil but I don't fancy a thug like horseradish going into my raised bed.


Any views?
Title: Re: Correct soil for horseradish
Post by: Fleecewife on March 13, 2015, 03:19:01 pm
Horseradish grows wild on many of the verges in Norfolk, and Norfolk is renowned for its heavy glacial moraine clays.

I would think it would be enough to dig some sharp gravel and peat or similar into an area a bit larger and deeper than you think the roots will extend.  Don't let it seed, to prevent wind-borne spread.
Title: Re: Correct soil for horseradish
Post by: devonlady on March 13, 2015, 10:51:34 pm
Someone gave me some roots three years ago. I planted them roughly (shoved a spade in, pushed it forward, dropped the root in, wellied the ground. I have a clay and shale soil and they are multiplying and dividing like a Biblical tribe of Israelites. This was in a corner of a field. The flavour of fresh,grated horseradish,mixed with double cream and a tiny bit of salt will spoil you for the best and most expensive of jars of the stuff.
Title: Re: Correct soil for horseradish
Post by: suziequeue on March 14, 2015, 04:41:12 pm
Well - this is most encouraging. I have identified a spot for them here they can get on with themselves relatively undisturbed for a little while and will dig them in tomorrow.
Title: Re: Correct soil for horseradish
Post by: cloddopper on March 15, 2015, 10:03:45 am
I grew mine in a 16 foot long x 2 foot high ridge , made up if well manured clay soil , aa few hands full of gypsum and several barrows of sharp sand . It was so successful in the mound that I weed killed it to keep it down .
Title: Re: Correct soil for horseradish
Post by: Mammyshaz on March 15, 2015, 10:32:27 am
I think they grow like a weed in most soils. I got some root from a friend who's allotment site is invaded by the stuff. It is in a bucket and I am hoping to harves the first lot of roots this year as it seemed well established ( trying to burst out of the bucket ) last year
Title: Re: Correct soil for horseradish
Post by: Anke on March 15, 2015, 11:32:49 am
I grow them for the leaves - the goats go mad for them! And I had some years ago in a bucket, they grew through the bottom (all inside the polytunnel) and I still harvest masses of laves of them now... I don't think you can kill horseradish easily...