When to Plant Horseradish in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Melbourne), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Cool Temperate
In October the Cool Temperate zone normally runs 19°C by day and 8°C overnight, with about 67 mm of rain over 9 or 10 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -3.0°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 28 postcodes, SILO.
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This Horseradish guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Mar to Apr, Jul to Oct
- Days to harvest
- about 21 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Low
- Spacing
- 40 cm apart
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
Horseradish is a robust, hardy perennial grown for its pungent root. Once established, it is almost impossible to eradicate. A feature or a bug depending on your perspective.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Cool Temperate
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar P
- Apr P
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul P
- Aug P
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov -
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Grow from root cuttings or crowns, planted in autumn or late winter to spring; seed is rarely available. Dig roots once leaves die back from autumn through winter. Keep it contained, as it spreads.
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How to Grow Horseradish in Cool Temperate Australia
- Soil
- Deep, loose, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Best roots form in sandy loam or loam dug to at least 30cm depth. Tolerates a wide range of soils but heavy clay produces misshapen roots. Remove stones.
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun (6+ hours). Tolerates partial shade but root development is reduced.
- Spacing
- 40cm apart, 60cm between rows
- Watering
- Moderate water needs. Water deeply once per week during active growth. Drought tolerant once established but consistent moisture produces the best roots. Reduce watering in winter when dormant.
- Good companions
- Potato
- Keep away from
- Other brassicas (shares diseases)
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Horseradish
Recommended Varieties
- Common Horseradish
- Bohemian
Key Challenges
- Invasiveness, removing unwanted plants is very difficult
- Every root fragment left in soil regrows
Pro Tips
- Melbourne is prime horseradish territory. Cold winters develop maximum pungency
- Harvest in late autumn/early winter for hottest roots
- SERIOUSLY contain it. Concrete, paving, or large pots only
Pests and problems for Horseradish in Cool Temperate
Harvesting Horseradish
When ready: Harvest after the first frosts of autumn/winter, or at least 16-24 weeks after planting. Roots should be at least 30cm long and 3-5cm diameter at the crown. Leaves may have died back partially in cold climates.
How to harvest: Dig deeply alongside the root with a garden fork. Roots can go 60cm+ deep. Lever out carefully. Any root fragment left in soil WILL regrow, so be thorough if you want to contain the plant. Snap off side roots for replanting or discard in bin (not compost).
Storing and preserving horseradish
How to keep it
- Freezing (Best for Long-Term Pungency). Peel and cut roots into chunks. Freeze on tray then bag. Grate from frozen as needed. Frozen horseradish grates easily and maintains pungency much better than refrigerated prepared sauce. Keeps: 6-12 months frozen.
- Root Cellar / Sand Storage. Unwashed roots stored in damp sand in a cool (1-4C), dark, humid place. Or wrap in damp towel in plastic bag in fridge crisper. Keeps: 3-6 months in root cellar, 2-3 months in fridge.
- Dehydrating (Horseradish Powder). Peel and grate or slice very thinly. Dry at 55C for 8-12 hours until completely crisp. Grind to powder. Warning: dehydrating horseradish produces extremely pungent fumes. Do outdoors or in very well-ventilated space. Keeps: 12 months in airtight container.
- Prepared Horseradish (Vinegar-Preserved). Peel roots and cut into chunks. Grate finely in food processor (OUTDOORS or in well-ventilated area, fumes are extremely pungent). Immediately mix grated root with white vinegar (1/4 cup per cup of root) and 1/2 tsp salt. The timing of vinegar addition is critical: add immediately for milder sauce, wait 3 minutes for maximum heat. Pack into clean jars. Keeps: 4-6 weeks refrigerated (pungency fades over time).
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Horseradish
When do you plant horseradish in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): not recommended
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Apr, Aug to Oct
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to Apr, Aug to Oct
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Mar to Apr, Jul to Oct
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): May to Sep
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Apr to Aug
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jul to Sep
When should I plant Horseradish in Melbourne?
Grow from root cuttings or crowns, planted in autumn or late winter to spring; seed is rarely available. Dig roots once leaves die back from autumn through winter. Keep it contained, as it spreads.
What soil temperature do Horseradish need?
Horseradish germinate best when soil temperature is between 10°C and 25°C.
How do I know when Horseradish are ready to harvest?
Harvest after the first frosts of autumn/winter, or at least 16-24 weeks after planting. Roots should be at least 30cm long and 3-5cm diameter at the crown. Leaves may have died back partially in cold climates.
What are the best Horseradish varieties for Melbourne?
Recommended varieties for the Cool Temperate zone include: Common Horseradish, Bohemian.
What grows well with Horseradish?
Good companion plants for Horseradish include: Potato.
Are horseradish salt tolerant?
Only a little. Horseradish are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.