Oops, neglected to do an update for 2014. Did not take pics this year, figured it was not necessary as nothing has changed regarding the process. Dug horseradish roots and put up snow fence and road markers on Sunday, November 09, which turned out to be the last possible day before winter freeze-up. An early first snowstorm of the year happened the next day, Monday November 10. Spent that day doing snow removal and putting the last of the summer and fall stuff in storage. Processed the roots on Tuesday, November 11. Processed outside, temp was around 14 degrees. The cold was pretty hard on the fingers... This year I got 3 quarts of finished product, very tasty stuff. Total labor was 7 hours. Once again I traded half the harvest of horseradish roots to a local deer hunter for venison, he and his hunting buddies got around 3 quarts of finished product as well. I also sliced up a bunch of roots and dehydrated the pieces. I keep the dried slices whole in sealed jars and grind them into powder as needed - the flavor stays stronger that way versus grinding everything at once and putting the powder into jars. I gave all of my ground horseradish away for Christmas gifts save for a half pint that I kept for myself. Admittedly I like making it and giving it away more than eating it. My brother loves it and can burn through a pint of it in no time. I still like mixing some horseradish with Sweet Baby Ray's original BBQ sauce, using the mix as a dipping sauce or on grilled burgers. Nothing beats horseradish and plain mustard on a grilled brat, classic and still my favorite. Now I made myself hungry... Cheers, -Tom

Dax- Now that you mention it, I forgot that they carry it. They are out though, I saw that a few weeks ago. I found the place who introduced it too and they have a list of nurseries that carry their products. I was going to give them a call and see if they could order one for me if I can't find one online. Mark- Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not that familiar with Jap. maples...I have a few...But only if they catch my eye...I don't know enough to go looking for specific ones... The 'Shirazz' sounds pretty awesome...But I'm not sure I want that kind of height on the top...The top of the falls is nearly six feet high already!!! Ken- That's what I figured. It's a shame I can't put a spell on it and keep it as it looks for the next fifty years...No growth or anything...But what you gonna do??? I'll either find another place for it this year, or let it go for a few years till some of the other stuff starts to fill out and then tear it out... Thanks again all! Eliot

Rita, I agree, and all I can do is dream about spring too. I have never tried to heat the bird baths, something to think about, I put them away, but I also have an outside cat ( he has a shelter ) who may just love the heated bird bath, so maybe it's not a good idea for me. We got hit with the second lake effect snow, as they call it. It is really early and they don't always extend south enough to get me, but it did!!!!! At least I had just finished my mulching, although I had not finished cutting back my iris. Supposed to do that late fall, what happened to late fall? So I am told that the snow is a good cover for the plants, OK I believe it but I don't have to like it. I'm attaching a picture of a lone DL tag standing out in the snow!!! and so I don't depress too many I will also attach a picture of a local DL farm from this past summer. I just put that picture on my desktop. It helps chase the winter blues away, along with reading this forum. Also, thanks to all for posting when intros are out, especially you Rita, as I like the hardy and extended bloom. My wishlist did explode. Cindy

Well, I did not have enough horseradish remaining in the ground to do both jam and dehydrating projects so I went with the dehydrating. The jam will definitely be on my list for next year as I am still very curious, plus other people that I have mentioned this idea to think it sounds yummy. Kind of odd that it never occurred to me considering that I make hot pepper jellies and jams - it is not much of a stretch from those products. Dehydrating Horseradish: I do all the prep stuff in the photos up to having peeled roots in clean water. I then slice the roots into 1/8" thick rounds. Small diameter roots I cut into 2" lengths and split down the middle. I place those rounds and pieces on the racks and dry them down. There is not much water in the horseradish roots so it only takes a day or two to completely dry them. When the pieces break versus bend then I break them into smaller pieces and grind them in a coffee mill into powder. I run the powder through a sifting screen and regrind the larger particles. Repeat until done. Place powder in jars or sealed container as soon as possible to retain flavor and to avoid the powder absorbing moisture from the air. It will tend to clump a bit during storage - I do not add any anti-clumping agents. I am not really against them, it just does not matter that much to me and I never remember to order the stuff before I need it anyway. Rapping the spice jar once or twice on the counter usually breaks any clumps up enough for using. I have never had to, but one could certainly just run the clumps through the coffee mill again in the future if it became a big problem. I still cut the pieces outside but I dry them in the dehydrator in the house. The house will smell like horseradish the first day but it is not overly strong and is not noxious. About the time I am getting a bit tired of the smell it goes away.