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I harvested horseradish and garlic yesterday. Because it was perfect gardening weather. As you can tell.
Horseradish should be harvested in dormancy, in the late fall or winter. After the first frost. Not necessarily after the first snow, but that’s when Boomer and I finally got around to it.
Mr. Scarecrow has experienced a bit of sun-fade.
He doesn’t look so creepy now. He just looks cold.
There’s the horseradish!
You can’t pull it up. You’ve got to dig it up. It’s best if you can coerce someone else into digging it up while you take pictures. Figure out a way to make that your job. (See how smart I am?!)
Leave smaller roots for next year, and you can even cut off the tops of the larger roots you’re harvesting and plant them back. Not that horseradish needs much help once it’s established–it’s invasive and spreads like crazy. We’ve got several patches started, and we just dug up a few of the larger roots.
The roots can be stored for several weeks in the refrigerator before preparing. Shake off the dirt and wrap in something to keep out light. I put mine in paper bags inside plastic bags and stuck them in the fridge for now. (More on preparing horseradish coming up.) On to the garlic! You know, as long as we’re already cold.
Garlic, too, should be dug up, not pulled up. Usually, before it snows. Like in the fall when the tops die down. My tops died down and grew back a little during a warm spell. I’m guilty of garlic neglect. Harvest only the largest bulbs. Separate the smaller ones and plant them back, spreading them out. More garlic next year! Some of the smaller bulbs sneaked into my bucket. I have plenty of garlic, so I wasn’t too worried about it. We only dug up a few of the garlic patches. (That is the royal we.)
After harvesting garlic, you can cure it for several weeks by allowing it to dry in a cool, dark spot. I shook off the dirt and rinsed the bulbs lightly then braided them to hang. After the tops and roots are dried, I can cut them off. For now, I hung the garlic braid in my pantry.
But considering how it smells in there, I’m going to have to move it. I’m thinking….. Jupiter.
2:26
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What kind of garlic is that? I don’t see the cloves. We just planted for next year. We love it.
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Sara
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Voted for the last time. Hmmm, now maybe I can head over to Sam-e to READ your blog instead of VOTING! Otherwise, I just don’t know what I’ll do!
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I rarely vote in these kind of competitions because they turn into a popularity contest and the votes become meaningless. They have nothing to do with the true value of what we’re supposed to be voting for. But you’re the real deal. So, again, best wishes.
Nancy
7:25
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And I voted again. Good luck. Can’t wait to hear how it turns out.
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I ground fresh horseradish to go with oysters at Thanksgiving. I added white balsamic vinegar to keep it from getting too hot. It is my favorite food item from Thanksgiving this year. Balsamic vinegar is a little pricey, but well worth it in my opinion!
I’ve been voting every day, and I read the comments on Sam-e the other day. I think they have painted themselves into a corner. No matter who they pick they are going to lose a substantial group of followers. I’m not sure what they pay, but I think they should hire all three of the top vote getters and then highlight different styles and blogs each week. If not- I’m hoping they go for substance rather than flash and just choose you!
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I plant garlic with all my rose bushes because I believe it helps prevent those pesky aphids away from my roses. I love the garlicky smell when I brush up against the garlic stem as I ramble around my roses.
Done voted!!! Can’t believe the last day is here!
Deb
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joy c. at grannymountain
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Suzanne, I hope you get this job. Your blog is always a spot of sunshine that starts the day off right, even when it’s gloomy outside, which it is today. (And I say that as someone who lives in suburbia and has absolutely no contact with farms other than my local farmer’s market. Doesn’t matter. I love the stories, the sharing, the upbeat attitude and the atmosphere here). It would be great to have another place to read an entry from you every morning!
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My husband also did not really care a lot for garlic, but I persisted, and now he’s like me, it’s almost impossible to get “too much” garlic in a dish. It’s one of my favorite things, next to dark chocolate! Thanks for sharing your tips.
One question: I assume this is a softneck variety, right?
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It will be nice to read your daily writing for SamE. I just know you are going to be the winner!
I’ll be looking forward to seeing what you do with the horseradish. I have some in the garden that a friend gave me, but I am afraid to dig it up because I don’t know what to do with it, or if you grind it up how long it will last. I love the taste, but have only had the stuff in a jar from the grocery store.
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I love the way Boomer is “helping” you.
My Gracie like to help like that too.
10:32
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That Boomer is so sweet! He has such great expressions!(Somebody needs to sketch that one! (soon…maybe after Christmas…)
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Kathleen H in Indiana
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Gayle
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This post came at a wonderful time as I have Horde radish to harvest. I love this stuff! Nothing better pork or roast beed sandwiches or mix with a bit of mayo if if you dont like it “straight”.
I will be making jars as gifts along with the cranberry sauce, what a wonderful duo packed in a little basket.
I, like everyone else will happy that the contest is over, and I am sure you will be glad to have some peace in your life again, this has to have been very stressful for you.
You are clearly the winner when it comes to what you have to offer your readers and you honesty through this event. Lets hope the folks at Sam-e see that as well. Nothing is good if it isnt done in an honest way.
I also have to add that all of your supporters have conducted themselves in the same manner in the comments they left for you, no nastiness about the other contestants, it says alot about the people you attract.
We all know who the winner really is, and we all would like to see you get the job.
JO
12:03
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Spelling is a bit off today–but you get the idea –:smilerabbit:
JO
12:45
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I need to plant some horseradish too! I hope the chickens don’t eat it, that would make for some funny tasting eggs.
I hope the decision makers at SAM-e/Nature Made really look at the substance of all who enter. No matter what they say though, Suzanne is OUR winner!
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We tried to grow garlic about two years ago but the drought did them in. I don’t know what I would do with horseradish. I’ve never even tried it.
I cast my last vote too!
Angela
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Hope they decide soon – I really hate waiting lol.
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Hope you win!
Love your blog!
You and a cup of tea start me off for the day!
4:39
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Suzanne, I just want you to know that regardless of the outcome, in my mind you are the only one who truly deserved to win in view of the content of your blog. It filled all the requirements that contest asked for. Your blog delivers on every single point and then some! I really don’t know how those two contestants got so ahead, I really don’t. I’m sure they are quite talented, but I suspect those points are not on the up and up. They seem to rely more on ‘beauty’ and ‘youth’ points than anything else. Not that you aren’t beautiful or youthful, but I hope you know what I meant.
I tend to agree with one of your commenters that sometimes these can turn out to be ‘popularity’ contests. Sad, sad thing if that is the case. I’m hopeful the judges will see how absolutely wonderful your blog is and how it is like a ray of sunshine in your reader’s lives (and that you’re a downright great writer!)
Well, I voted every single day since the contest started, and even had my Hubby do so as well. So best of luck, and I’m certain this event will open many new doors of opportunity for you, regardless of what happens. Take care and God bless! I’ll continue to read your blog because for me it is just simply ‘MUST READ’ material!
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Suzanne–could I plant garlic cloves from my pantry?
JO
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And everything else needed for making my own salsa and pickles. And maybe some dilled green beans. Strawberry and raspberry plants would be nice, too. Gotta try potatoes again, this year my manure was a wee bit too hot. I could go on and on.
Good luck Suzanne with the contest. I’ve been praying you get the gig. You are certainly the most qualified and best blogger. You have succeeded in bringing together thousands of people and tens of thousands of votes. You’ve brought us close together through our comments here and participation in the forum. It has a surreal quality about it to me. Thanks so much for all you do.
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But I made it: 33751 votes.
Last day – good luck!
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But if you do get picked, I’ll do this….
Either way….you rock!!!
10:28
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Now what do you know about separating peonies? That’s supposed to be done in the fall also. I promised my sister a piece of mine but suppose it’s too late to replant considering the snow is sort of flying around here, not sticking, just sort of flying around.
Did my last vote. Good luck to you, Suzanne, we all know you deserve the gig.
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Thank you–I will plant it tomorrow!
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