Planting and Growing Guide for Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)
Description
Ginger is a warm, to hot climate plant, that loves high humidity and requires plenty of water and lots of added nutrients to grow well. Ginger is frost tender and will not grow in cold areas, as it is a tropical plant. Prepare the soil before planting digging in aged compost or well-rotted manure. It requires well-drained and sandy soil rather than heavy clay soils. Water regularly in summer to keep the soil and roots moist but nor wet. The ginger plants will die down in autumn. Remove the dead leaves, but keep the roots in the ground. You can harvest whole plants. It is best to only fully harvest well established Ginger plants, perhaps waiting until the second growing season. However, you can harvest ginger root from growing plants, not yet mature, by digging around the plant and cut off pieces of the older root. But, be careful not to disturb them too much, and to take only small pieces. Any young roots with shoots and should be left to re-sprout in Spring. Ginger can be harvested, year after year, once established. Ginger can be grown in pots in cooler areas.
Ginger root freezes very well, either as small whole pieces or grated and stored on bags. You can use the frozen ginger straight from the freezer in a wide variety of recipes. The a many users for fresh ginger. It is a staple ingredient in many Asian dishes and grated ginger can be added to a huge variety of baked goods or used as a garnish. Ginger is perhaps one of the most commonly used ingredient in cooked dishes. Fresh ginger root can also be used to make many drinks including ginger beer!
Planting Guide
Seed Depth: Plant pieces of fresh root that have shoots in warm soil and conditions.
Space between plants: Space plants about about 15 cm (6 inches) apart. Space rows 24-36 cm (2-3 feet) apart
Harvest Time: Harvest in about 20-25 weeks, but pieces of root can be harvested sparingly picked earlier
Hints:
- Does best in well-drained open soils; does poorly in heavy waterlogged soils
- Does best in partial shade in areas with high humidity
- Need regular and consistent watering, especially in warm weather
- Add a layer of mulch around each plant to control weeds and keep the soil moist
- Prior to planting prepare the soil by mixing in well-rotted compost or manure or pellet fertiliser
- Feed regularly and keep the plants growing strongly without growth checks to improve the size, flavor and texture
- After 8 to 10 months you can harvest whole plants. Select several young roots that have shoots or good growing buds for replanting back into the same location
Disclaimer: The PlantWhatWhen vegetable planting guide is only designed for use as a very general reference for home gardening purposes. It is not to be used for farming, markets or commercial activities of any kind whatsoever. We take absolutely no responsibility for the accuracy and adequacy of the information provided on this site. We recommend that you consider your local climate, weather patterns and conditions when deciding what and when to plant in your home garden. It's entirely your own decision. Happy Gardening and Best Wishes!