# When to Dig Horseradish?
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The Plant
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The horseradish plant produces large leaves and small white flowers on top when in bloom. The plant can reach 30 inches in height at its peak. The underground root is often misshapen or bent and several inches long.
Preparation
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When preparing to plant your horseradish, rototill or spade the soil to about 8 to 10 inches deep and mix in a generous amount of compost. Add about 1 lb. of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet or a good amount of decayed manure. Let the soil settle for a handful of days before you plant the horseradish.
Planting
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To get your horseradish to grow well, you need only to plant root cuttings from other plants. Plant your root cuttings earlier in the spring roughly 1 foot apart and cover them with 2 to 3 inches of soil. Add mulch or compost around the planting area to control the weed population.
Harvesting
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Because horseradish grows the most in the later part of the summer and early fall, it is wise to wait until the end of October or start of November to harvest. Dig a trench 1 to 2 feet deep down the side of the row of horseradish. Dig the roots out from the other side of the row with a spading fork or shovel. Pull on the tops of the plant to help get them out of the ground. Trim the top so you have only about an inch remaining. Trim off any roots on the sides or bottom that are 8 inches or longer to save for the next season's planting.
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