Armoracia rusticana

Horseradish, Armoracia rusticana in Latin, is a very old perennial condiment plant, cultivated for its fleshy and white root. It is used raw, grated, as a flavour enhancer. Its spicy taste is very strong: it used to replace pepper, and its flavour is similar to mustard. Sow from February to April. Harvest two years later.

Originally from Eastern Europe and Siberia and belonging to the Brassicaceae family (like cabbages), Horseradish is a bushy perennial plant that can reach 1m in height and 45 cm (18in) in width. It produces large deciduous, simple leaves, 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) long, and offers, from June to August, and flowering in the form of clusters of white flowers.

Wild Horseradish is mainly cultivated for its fleshy root (which resembles parsnip), which is generally recommended to be harvested in months with an 'R' in their name, which is almost all year round! Its leaves are also edible and can be prepared in salads, their taste is similar to that of cabbage. In cooking, horseradish is used, after being carefully washed, peeled, and grated, to add a hint of spiciness to a large number of dishes such as sauerkraut, fish, or even cold cuts.  It is a vegetable rich in vitamin C that was once consumed by sailors to prevent scurvy. It also contains antioxidant and antiseptic substances.

Wild Horseradish is a sturdy, hardy vegetable plant, to -15°C (5°F), and easy to grow, which thrives in damp, rich, and deep soil. It is recommended, as with radishes, to carefully monitor its watering to prevent its roots from becoming too spicy and/or woody. Once well established, Wild Horseradish is not easily eliminated but it is not invasive.

Harvest: all year round, except from May to August, by digging up its roots.

Storage: it is consumed fresh but can be kept for several weeks in a cool place, or, like sauerkraut, through lacto-fermentation.

Gardener's tip: Horseradish can completely disappear during winter, so remember to mark the location of its stump, ideally after generously mulching it, to avoid damaging it during winter work.