Today was the day that I chose to plant my spur of the moment purchase. as with all of these sorts of purchases I had no idea what I was supposed to do with it. Thankfully, a call out to the gardening tweeters on twitter led to some good advice accompanied with links to many useful web pages.
I had no idea that it spreads like wild fire, so have chosen to contain it in a large flowerpot (the advice says bucket but its often what you have to hand). I sunk the flower pot to 30cm deep and laid the root at 45 degrees with a little compost. Then I covered it over, now its just time that will reveal all.
4 comments:
I've never grown horseradish, but have heard that it can be invasive. I think you've made the right decision to contain it. I've got some mint on my allotment which had been planted, I presume, by someone who had the plot before me. It's very similar in that it spreads like wildfire. It's all over the place and I can tell that I'll be digging it out for years.
Hi Rhiannon.
I also learned that horseradish become rampant in the ground and decided to grow them in pots a few years ago. Unfortunately it just didn't seem to do well, so i threw it into the poor soil side of our tiny garden plot and forgot about it. Last year whilst digging up the plot, I came across large white root, completely forgot what it was and disposed of it in the councils compost bin thinking it was weed. It was only a day later it dawned on me what it was. I think horseradish wants a bit more space so it can stretch, a pot just wont keep it happy. Well thats my experience, hopefully yours will be much better.
Serious warning GP - As MC notes horseradish THRIVES in neglect. 30cm? Not anywhere near enough! These alien life forms will go wild if they like the conditions and break out through the drainage holes. If you are luck you'll get one sturdy shaft, but most likely you will get a plate of spaghetti. The roots go down so deep they always snap off, but it's the lateral spread you need to worry most about. I recommend a metal dustbin sunk right in to to it's brim. I've tried plastic - unsuccessfully.
By the way, I just love freshly grated horshradish with just a dash of cream. I'd never had it until I grew it and now I wouldn't be without it! (which is just as well because it's always there...
... and there, and there... )
I feel I may have underestimated this horseradish thing! Thanks for the useful comments all of you, I may change what I've done
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