Thursday, February 8, 2018

By Douglas Wagner


Fresh ginger is a popular culinary ingredient which has many uses in the kitchen. It has also been widely used as a herbal medicine for many centuries and people are continuing to discover more medicinal uses today. The roots of the plants grow from the ginger rhizomes as well as the shoots growing above the ground. It can be very satisfying to grow and harvest your own.

This is a plant that likes a spot in partial shade. It enjoys warm weather, humidity and rich, moist soil that drains well. It dislikes direct sun, frost, strong winds and waterlogged soil. The easiest way to start growing it is to buy the common, edible variety from the grocery store. Choose roots that are plump, wrinkle-free and that have eyes or small points. Try to buy an organic product as a non-organic one may have been treated with a growth-inhibitor.

High quality soil is very important. Mix garden soil with an equal amount of compost. The compost provides the plant with nutrition and keeps water in while the garden soil ensures proper drainage. If soil contains too much clay or is very poor in quality, it is better to use potting soil.

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.

Plant in early spring or late winter or frost may kill plants. Plant a root with the buds pointing upwards. Plants should be about two to four inches below the soil and rows should be eight inches apart. If the soil is warm, germination should take place easily.

The bed needs to be watered just enough for the soil not to dry out until leaves are seen. Soggy soil must be avoided as it quickly rots plants. If water is not draining properly, reduce watering or try to improve drainage. In its growth phase, a plant needs water once or twice a week. Regular spraying or misting may help if air is very dry. The ginger plant will grow to about two feet or so 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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