How to grow horseradish from seeds in the garden

Content

1 Is it possible to plant horseradish seeds?
2 Time for planting horseradish seeds
3 Site selection and soil preparation
4 Seed preparation
5 How to plant horseradish seeds in open ground
- 5.1 in spring
- 5.2 Autumn to winter
6 Growing horseradish seedlings from seeds
7 Care after landing
8 Conclusion

Growing horseradish from seeds is not very difficult. The plant is unpretentious, so planting in open ground and growing seedlings is acceptable. The seed material is pre-prepared - it undergoes stratification and moistening. In the first year, seedlings are watered periodically, preventing the soil from drying out.

Is it possible to plant horseradish seeds?

As a rule, horseradish is grown from roots, since this is the simplest and most effective method, suitable for the climatic conditions of all regions. But if desired, the crop can also be propagated by planting seeds.

To do this, you can choose two growing methods:

Planting seeds in the ground in spring or autumn.
Obtaining seedlings (sowing is planned for early March).

The first method is suitable for regions with relatively warm winters. In the Urals and Siberia it is better to grow seedlings. The seed material is pre-prepared and then planting begins.

To plant horseradish with seeds, you can collect the seed yourself. Very often the plant is dug up and both roots and leaves are taken. Therefore, it does not produce flower stalks or seeds. But if you don’t touch the horseradish for 2-3 years, it will bloom. Then in the fall you can collect the seeds.If desired, seed material can be purchased at the store.

Time for planting horseradish seeds

Horseradish seeds should be planted in the spring. Although there are other deadlines - it all depends on the method of cultivation and the climatic characteristics of the region. Main dates for planting in open ground:

Before winter in autumn - from the end of October to the first ten days of November. At the same time, in the Urals and Siberia it is better to start the procedure in mid-October, before the first frost.
Planting seeds in the ground is also possible in the spring. You can begin work after the frosts have passed and the soil has warmed up to at least 8-10 degrees (you can check by burying a thermometer to a depth of 10 cm). Depending on the region, the specific period falls from the end of March to the first half of April.

If you plant horseradish seeds to grow seedlings, choose the time from the last days of February to the first ten days of March. In this case, the seeds require lengthy preparation - they must undergo stratification, i.e. simulating winter conditions for several months.

Seeds can be purchased at the store

Site selection and soil preparation

Since horseradish has been growing in one place for many years without replanting, it is important to correctly determine the location of the bed. The plant is unpretentious, but it is still important to take into account several requirements:

The place should be sunny, but partial shade is allowed.
The soil should not be too wet, so lowlands where water stagnates should be excluded.
Horseradish should not be placed near large shrubs and trees, as they take up too many nutrients.

Typically, gardeners plant horseradish along the fence to fill empty spaces. Since growing from seeds requires some effort, it is better to prepare the soil in advance.A few months before planting, it is fertilized with compost or humus (5-7 kg per 1 m²). Instead, you can apply complex mineral fertilizer in the amount of 40-50 g per 1 m².

The plant takes root well on loose and fertile soils - loams with a neutral reaction (pH from 6.0 to 7.0). If there is too much clay in it, you need to add sawdust or sand up to 1 kg per 1 m².

Seed preparation

To grow horseradish on a plot from seeds, you first need to prepare planting material. If you plan to plant in open ground in the spring, then in the fall the seeds must undergo stratification. The instructions are:

Collect planting material.
Place sand in the tray and thoroughly moisten it with a spray bottle.
Plant the seeds.
Sprinkle a layer of sand on top, do not compact it.
Cover with film or lid.
Place the tray in the refrigerator or cellar and keep it there for 2-3 months.

Important! Stratification of horseradish seeds should be started in advance.

If planting is planned for March, this should be done in December, and if for April, then in January.

If you plan to plant horseradish directly into the ground in the spring (without growing seedlings), the seeds also undergo stratification in the fall. If they are planted in the fall before winter, then it is enough to keep them in damp gauze for a day. There is no need to add any drugs (growth stimulants, fertilizers), since the seed must be prepared for a long dormant period in winter.

Stratification helps to significantly improve seed germination

How to plant horseradish seeds in open ground

Growing horseradish in the country from seeds can be planned for spring and autumn. The rules of planting and care depend on the choice of timing.

in spring

If planting in the spring, you need to make sure that there will be no return frosts. For most regions of Russia this is the first ten days of May. During landing, proceed as follows:

Level the soil surface.
Mark several rows at a distance of 40 cm.
Make grooves 2 cm deep.
Seeds are planted at a distance of 8-10 cm. You can plant more frequently and then thin out the seedlings.
Sprinkle with soil and water with a thin stream or using a sprayer.

Autumn to winter

You can plant horseradish seeds in the fall. In this case, carefully dig up the bed and make the same grooves 2 cm deep. It is recommended to retreat at least 40 cm between rows, and 10 cm between adjacent seeds. There is no need to compact the soil. But you will need to lay a high layer of mulch - at least 10 cm. To do this, use:

dry leaves;
sawdust;
peat;
humus;
straw;
hay.

Growing horseradish seedlings from seeds

Before planting seeds for seedlings, they are also prepared by keeping them in the refrigerator or cellar for several months. Seedlings can be grown in a common container.

The instructions are:

Prepare the soil using garden soil, peat, humus and sand (2:1:1:1). Disinfect the mixture by pouring a 1% solution of potassium permanganate or keeping it in the oven for 30 minutes at a temperature of 100 degrees.
Prepare common containers and lay the soil.
Plant to a depth of 2 cm at a distance of 5 cm.
Moisten the soil with a spray bottle.
Cover with film or glass.
Grow at room temperature.
After emergence of shoots, remove the film.
When two leaves are formed, transplant into separate containers.
2-3 weeks before transplantation, begin hardening.
At the beginning of May, plan to transfer the seedlings to open ground.

Attention! Horseradish, which is grown from seeds, grows quite slowly. In the first year it will produce only one rosette of leaves. Roots will begin to form only in the second season. And they can be dug up at the end of the third year of life.

Horseradish will give full roots 3-4 years after planting.

Care after landing

The bush itself does not require special care - the culture is unpretentious. But if you grow from seeds, then in the first year you need to provide regular watering. When there is no rain, water is given once a week, making sure that the soil does not dry out. At the same time, it should not be too wet.

The soil needs to be periodically loosened and weeded. Then oxygen will flow freely to the roots, and the seedlings will quickly grow stronger. If the soil is fertilized, additional fertilizing will not be needed.

Conclusion

Growing horseradish from seeds is not very difficult, although it is not the most popular method of propagation. You can collect planting material yourself or purchase it in a store. Moreover, they can be planted both in open ground and in common boxes for obtaining seedlings.