Horseradish questions

I can't wait to start gardening. I'm thinking of planting horseradish for the first time. I use it mainly for pickles. It's a little expensive to buy in the grocery store + often at pickling time, I've been told fresh horseradish is out of season, and I have yet to find it at a farmer's market.

Anyway, I have a couple of questions:

* Knowing you leave it in the ground like rhubarb, so how do you "pick it?"

* Has anyone cut off what you need, then put it in a freezer bag like I do ginger?

* Any other uses for fresh horseradish besides making a sauce like you can buy at the store? (Or pulling it out of your purse if a blind date goes bad.)

Thanks.