Horseradish - devil to dig up!!

[JenMul]

Hello,

We started in earnest clearing our allotment pitch so we can start sowing seeds soon but we have a huge great big horseradish plant in the middle of our plot.

We spent ages on Saturday digging at it, around it and trying to get under it but the roots seem to go on for miles.

Does anyone have any hints/tips on how to oust this monster once and for all?? It really is our nemesis!

Failing that how quickly will it grow back if we were to just leave it, with the plant cut away as far down the root as possible? Is it possible to grow anything where the roots are buried, on top of it if you know what I mean?

Thanks to you all for any help!

Desperate lottie owner! x

[Shirley]

Methinks you will have trouble as new plants will grow from any lateral roots that don't get frozen - according to : http://www.gardenline.usask.ca/veg/horserad.html

I didn't know that it was such an awkward plant to control - I've never grown it myself. If it's that good you could sell bits of the roots :D but advise people to plant it in pots unless you really don't like them lol.

There are some ideas on here http://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/archive/4 ... 09/2/42664

You could I suppose take advantage of it and set up a horseradish sauce company

[ina]

Maybe plant something over it that's equally persistent? I've got a blackberry in my veggie plot that keeps coming up... According to my neighbour, my predecessor already spent years trying to get rid of it. It still brings up a shoot or two every year, which I keep replanting. Would a tree on top of the horseradish do the trick? (You might have apples with a funny taste, though... )

Ina