I am new to the area (Lake Texoma) (I came from zone 8b) and would like to start a veggie thread so I can learn from others experience.
1st question------will horseradish over winter here?
North Central Veggies
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Yep! edited to add, I hit send too quickly.
I grow horseradish and leave it in a half oak barrel year around. It can endure winter but I find it needs a rich, moist soil to thrive.
Looking forward to vegetable input on your thread. Thanks pod
This message was edited Sep 18, 2010 8:19 PM
Thanks pod--I will try to overwinter it this year--maybe with a heavy mulch.
Pod-Do you use the horseradish like the kind you get in the store? Brady would love that.
I grew mine from "store bought" ---had to go to 4 stores to find some fresh looking roots though.
Well since the NC Texas veggie thread is started here is one you folks really have to try if you like okra--
try "Beck's Big Buck" Okra. You absolutely will not believe the size, quality and quantity of okra this plant produces, and you can pick it every 1-2 weeks rather than every 1-2 days like regular okra. It is open pollinated-not a hybrid
Yes on the horseradish ~ store bought will work. Just look some that show 'green' eyes or that look fresh as Vortreker said.
When you plant them, plant horizontally. The foliage end will find its' way up, similar to ginger.
If Brady likes spicy, hot, hot, hot, he should like this. When you grate it, the longer you wait to add vinegar, the hotter it will become. It is a sinus enlightening experience to grate it. lol
Vortreker ~ I wouldn't even worry overly much about a heavy mulch. The tops will die down and provide surface protection but our soil rarely freezes solid.
I suspect yours will be the same and you know it does grow well in the north where the frost line does go deep.
"Regular" okra is on the right
I did not know it survived well in the north--I feel more comfortable about it making it now--thanks
Wow ~ I love okra but am the only one eating it here. One pod would satisfy this pod. LOL
Does the larger okra pod not get woody?
This message was edited Sep 18, 2010 9:29 PM
Pod it gets woody but it is real slow to do so compared to regular okra.
Is Becks' Big Buck okra a tall plant?
BTW, did you try any vegetables this past summer or just work at getting settled in? Any herbs?
Mine got to 6-7 feet.
Had good luck with numerous veggies in this awful looking soil except my favorites-- tomatoes and peppers. The garlic and onions were great.
I lived very close to Tulelake Ca. for a good many years and they grew horseradish there commercially and had a processing plant where all of the workers wore gas masks..got very cold there with sub zero temps as the norm..So pretty sure not going to get cold enough at Texoma to kill it
Where do you find seeds of the Beck's Big Buck okra??
Thanks everyone for the HR advise.
I'm thinking it was a tough year for tomatoes most everywhere this summer. I had over 60 plants and produced very little. I started fall tomatoes and they look great, loaded with blooms and small tomatoes. Hoping for a few more tastes before winter...
I had one good flush of nice tomatoes and the rest were not good.
C
I have lots of HR fans in my house. How do you know when it is ready to dig up?
I'm guessing horseradish 'fans' in a greenhouse or the house? How come?
I've read that it can be harvested as needed thru the year but best in the fall. In the north, before a freeze or if the ground doesn't freeze solid (thank the heavens) it can be harvested in spring.
Although the tops die down, it is hardy to zone 3 and under excellent conditions, can spread and even become invasive. Invasive has not been a problem for me yet.
I leave some plants in ground year around but then I like to have perennial vegetable beds established too.
I love the stuff, in small amounts. How strong is fresh grated horseradish?
C
I really like it too. If you grate it fresh, it gets hotter until you add vinegar which prevents it from getting hotter. In other words, if vinegar is added right away, it is milder.
I meant that people in my house like to eat HR therefore they are fans! HAHA I didn't realize that is what the plant can be describe as!
LOL ... I'm slow today! Not sure why I thought that was what you were talking about. When I reread it just now, it made perfect sense (now that you splained it to me) 8 ))