Ginger rhizomes are the swollen root sections of herbaceous perennial plants. The root is used for many medicinal and culinary purposes today and has been done so for centuries. It is quite easy to grow as long as it is not exposed to frost or too much direct sunlight.
This plant does not survive if it is exposed to frost. It loves warm weather but should not get more than two to five hours of direct sunlight or strong winds. Plant it in partial shade and make sure that the soil is rich and drains well. Waterlogged soil will make it rot. Start by choosing some roots from the grocery store. Make sure they have eyes or small points at the end of the fingers. These are the buds from which the plant grows. An organic product is best because it is not treated with any growth-inhibitors.
The plant thrives on high quality soil. Use a mix of one part good compost to one part of sandy garden soil. The compost gives nutrition to the plant and retains water. The sand makes sure it drains freely. Turn the mix into the soil with a spade. In cases of heavy soil, it is better to make a ridge or raise the bed to improve drainage.
Take the rhizome and cut it into sections. Make sure the sections have an eye or two as this will enhance chances of it taking. Allow the pieces to lie for one or two days before planting. This helps to prevent rot or infection because the cuts have a chance to seal.
The best planting time is in late winter or early spring. When planting the root, make sure that the bud is on top. Plant about two inches below the surface of the soil. If planting in rows, the roots must be planted about eight inches apart. If the ground is warm and moist, they tend to take very easily.
Water the bed after planting but just enough so that the soil does not dry out. Once the leaves are visible, water a couple of times a week. Reduce the amount of water immediately if soil becomes a bit soggy. Spray or mist regularly if air is particularly dry. The plant continues to grow until it reaches two or three feet in height.
As the weather cools down, the leaves begin to die back. Reduce watering because the dry ground encourages it to form roots. When all the leaves have died, the ginger is ready for harvest. Dig up the whole plant, break up the roots and select a few with good growing buds for replanting. Keep the rest for use in the kitchen.
Once roots are replanted, cover with a thick layer of mulch. This insulates them from the cold and the mulch gives nutrients and keeps weeds away. This is a slow-growing plant and quick-growing weeds can easily take over. Do not expect to see flowers the year or two after planting or if a growing season is a short one.
This plant does not survive if it is exposed to frost. It loves warm weather but should not get more than two to five hours of direct sunlight or strong winds. Plant it in partial shade and make sure that the soil is rich and drains well. Waterlogged soil will make it rot. Start by choosing some roots from the grocery store. Make sure they have eyes or small points at the end of the fingers. These are the buds from which the plant grows. An organic product is best because it is not treated with any growth-inhibitors.
The plant thrives on high quality soil. Use a mix of one part good compost to one part of sandy garden soil. The compost gives nutrition to the plant and retains water. The sand makes sure it drains freely. Turn the mix into the soil with a spade. In cases of heavy soil, it is better to make a ridge or raise the bed to improve drainage.
Take the rhizome and cut it into sections. Make sure the sections have an eye or two as this will enhance chances of it taking. Allow the pieces to lie for one or two days before planting. This helps to prevent rot or infection because the cuts have a chance to seal.
The best planting time is in late winter or early spring. When planting the root, make sure that the bud is on top. Plant about two inches below the surface of the soil. If planting in rows, the roots must be planted about eight inches apart. If the ground is warm and moist, they tend to take very easily.
Water the bed after planting but just enough so that the soil does not dry out. Once the leaves are visible, water a couple of times a week. Reduce the amount of water immediately if soil becomes a bit soggy. Spray or mist regularly if air is particularly dry. The plant continues to grow until it reaches two or three feet in height.
As the weather cools down, the leaves begin to die back. Reduce watering because the dry ground encourages it to form roots. When all the leaves have died, the ginger is ready for harvest. Dig up the whole plant, break up the roots and select a few with good growing buds for replanting. Keep the rest for use in the kitchen.
Once roots are replanted, cover with a thick layer of mulch. This insulates them from the cold and the mulch gives nutrients and keeps weeds away. This is a slow-growing plant and quick-growing weeds can easily take over. Do not expect to see flowers the year or two after planting or if a growing season is a short one.
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