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When to Plant Horseradish in Jefferson County, WI

Horseradish is a vigorous perennial grown for its pungent, spicy roots used as a condiment. Once established, it can be difficult to eradicate, so choose its location carefully.

Jefferson County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 613 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 36.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Horseradish during the growing season.

Jefferson County, WI (Zone 5a) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Sep 10 – Oct 22
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Sep 14 – Oct 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Sep 30 – Nov 11

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 564 gal / 100 sq ft
Horseradish needs ~2,288 GDD — county provides 2,562 GDD Good fit

Horseradish Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson County, WI

Horseradish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Harvest September 14 Sep 14 โ€“ Oct 26

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

168 days

Growing Tips for Jefferson County

Plant root cuttings at a 45-degree angle in early spring. Harvest roots in late fall for strongest flavor. Contain the plant with barriers or grow in large containers.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Horseradish in Jefferson County, WI?

Jefferson County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Horseradish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson County, WI?

Jefferson County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jefferson County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Jefferson County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.