When to Plant Horseradish: Spring or Fall Roots and When to Dig

Horseradish is a hardy perennial in the cabbage family (Wisconsin), grown for its pungent root. It is easy to grow and hard to get rid of. Wisconsin warns that even a small piece of root left in the ground will grow into a new plant, so pick a spot you won't need for anything else.

Spring planting dates by last frost

The table counts back from your average last spring frost. The window is GardenPal's translation of Utah State's late March to early April planting time for Utah, which sits about 6 to 4 weeks before the last frost there. If your soil is workable earlier, UMN says you can plant as soon as it is.

How to plant horseradish

Horseradish is started from pieces of root, not seed. Root cuttings are often sold as "sets" (UMN). Utah State describes them as about pencil-size, with a square-cut top and an angled bottom so you know which end is up.

Utah State also describes a crown method for short seasons: split a crown into four pieces, let the cuts heal for several days, then plant at a 45° angle. Varieties it mentions include 'Maliner Kren', 'New Bohemian' and 'Variegata', which it says is less invasive and handles part shade.

Keep it from spreading

Horseradish spreads and is hard to eradicate (NC State). Wisconsin suggests planting it in a buried tub with the bottom cut out. Utah State uses buried pots or sections of PVC pipe about 12 inches wide and 24 inches long. At harvest, Utah State says to dig out all the roots, or the patch turns into a weed problem.

When to harvest

Wait for cold weather. UMN says the roots grow most in late summer and early fall, so it delays the harvest until late October or early November, or just before the ground freezes. Wisconsin and NC State dig after frost kills the leaves, and Utah State harvests after several frosts. You can also dig in early spring before new growth starts (Wisconsin, UMN).

Timing from planting depends on your season. Wisconsin says year-old roots have the most flavor and that spring-planted roots usually aren't ready by the first fall, so it digs them the next spring or fall. Utah State says that with a long season of about 150 days, you can harvest at the end of the first year. Don't leave roots too long: UMN says roots left for two seasons become stringy and woody.

Texas, Florida and the Deep South

Horseradish is a cold-climate crop. NC State says it prefers areas with cool summers and lists hardiness zones 4a to 9b; Wisconsin lists zones 2 to 9. Utah State says it grows best at 60 to 65°F and needs a fairly cold fall. Texas A&M's fall vegetable guide and UF/IFAS's Florida planting calendar don't list horseradish, so we have no extension planting dates for those states. If you try it in a warm area, follow NC State's approach: grow it through summer and dig after the first frost when the leaves die back.

Pests and problems

Flea beetles are the main pest named by UMN and Wisconsin, and Wisconsin adds imported cabbageworm. UMN also lists root rots and rotates horseradish to a new spot every 3 to 4 years. Wisconsin notes that wasabi, sometimes called Japanese horseradish, is a different plant.

Where horseradish goes in the garden

Treat horseradish like other perennial crops and give it a permanent spot at the edge of the garden, away from the beds you dig every year. It fits next to asparagus and rhubarb, which also stay put for years. Because it is in the cabbage family and shares pests like flea beetles, see what to plant with cabbage for that family's companions.

Frequently asked questions

When should I plant horseradish?

In early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked (University of Minnesota). Utah State plants in late March or early April. Wisconsin says fall planting also works.

Can you plant horseradish in the fall?

Yes. Wisconsin lists fall and spring as planting times for divisions and root cuttings, and fall is when you dig, so you can replant side roots then. UMN stores roots 8 inches or longer and plants them the next spring.

How deep do you plant horseradish?

Cover root cuttings with 2 to 3 inches of soil, set upright or at about 45°, about 1 foot apart (UMN, Utah State). Wisconsin puts the top of the root at or just below the soil line.

When is horseradish ready to harvest?

After frost kills the leaves in fall, or in early spring before new growth (Wisconsin). UMN waits until late October or early November, or just before the ground freezes, because the roots grow most in late summer and early fall.

Can you harvest horseradish the first year?

Sometimes. Utah State says you can with a long season of about 150 days. Wisconsin says spring-planted roots usually aren't ready by the first fall and digs them the next spring or fall instead.

How do I keep horseradish from spreading?

Plant it in a buried tub with the bottom cut out (Wisconsin) or in buried pots or PVC pipe (Utah State), and dig out all the roots at harvest. Even small root pieces left behind grow into new plants.

Does horseradish grow in Texas or Florida?

It prefers cool summers. NC State lists zones 4a to 9b, and Utah State says it needs a fairly cold fall. Texas A&M and UF/IFAS planting calendars don't list it.