Ginger is grown for its aromatic, pungent, and spicy rhizomes, often known as ginger roots. Ginger is a tropical perennial herb farmed for its bamboo-like leaves and tasty rhizomes in hot climates. In all save the warmest climates, it is grown as a long-season annual.
Gingerols are the principal active ingredients in ginger, and they are responsible for its characteristic scent and flavor. Gingerols are potent anti-inflammatory chemicals that can help relieve arthritic pain. Ginger has also been found in studies to help strengthen the immune system and protect against cancer.
Ginger rhizomes have a hard, knotty, rough, and striated feel. The flesh might be yellow, white, or red, depending on the variety. The skin is cream-colored to light brown in hue and can be thick or thin depending on the maturity of the plant during harvest.
When To Plant Ginger
Early spring is the best time to plant ginger. Ginger is a tropical plant that will grow year-round if you’re in a warm climate. In cooler climates, ginger should be planted in a planter that can be brought inside during the cold months. Wait until after the first frost has passed to plant your ginger. The plant will take eight to ten months to mature, and it is best harvested in the winter when the plant's leaves begin to fall.
How To Plant & Grow Ginger
Plant and cultivate your own ginger by following these simple steps.
Buy Ginger Root
Purchase ginger root from your local grocery store. When selecting a ginger root to plant, seek for plump, young roots. Any growth buds on the root's tips, known as the eyes, are advantageous because they are already growing.
Peel & Cut Your Ginger
You can plant an entire ginger root or break it up to plant several. Simply cut your ginger into pieces and leave it out for a day to dry. Make sure that each piece you plant has an eye (the nodes at the plant's ends) so that it can sprout properly.
Prepare Soil
Combine potting soil and compost mulch. To avoid rot, plant your ginger in well-draining soil. Ginger grows best in somewhat acidic soil, so make sure your soil or potting mix has a pH of 6 to 6 1/2.
Choose A Planting Location
Ginger thrives in partial shade, requiring only two to five hours of direct sunlight every day. Consider this if you're going to grow your ginger outside. If you're going to plant your ginger in a container, make it at least 12 inches deep. You can grow ginger year round if you live in a warm climate. If you live in a frigid climate with hard winters, plant it in a pot so you may bring it inside during the winter. Keep any dogs or pets away from newly planted trees or flowers.
Plant Your Ginger
Bury your ginger roots at least eight inches apart, two to four inches below the soil. If you're planting ginger in a pot, only plant one piece at a time because it requires a lot of space. You will want to allow the roots plenty of space to grow.
Water Your Ginger
Water your ginger immediately after planting it. Continue to keep your soil moist but not saturated by watering it until it dries out. The ginger plant's stems will begin to fade in the late summer or fall. Stop watering the plant completely after the stems die.
Harvesting Ginger
Allow your ginger plant to mature completely before harvesting it, which will take about eight to ten months. The longer you wait to harvest your ginger root, the greater the flavor will be. When the stems of your ginger begin to die back, your ginger is fully grown and ready to harvest.
When the stems of your ginger root begin to turn yellow, it is nearing maturity and will be ready to harvest shortly. Harvest your ginger plant once the stalks have died and the earth has dried out. Trim the tops of ginger plant stems two to three weeks before digging it up.
Gently take the ginger root from the dirt with your hands or a small shovel and trim it away from the remainder of the ginger plant. Wash and scrub your ginger roots under running water, taking care to remove as much dirt as possible. Your ginger is now ready to be cooked, pickled, dried, or prepared however you see fit. You can save some ginger for replanting the next season.
Hardiness Zones For Growing Ginger
Ginger is hardy in zones 9-12, though there are a few types that are hardy in zones 7 and 8. Even in warmer locations, ginger goes dormant when temperatures fall below 55°F. The leaf will wither, but the rhizome will remain alive.
As temperatures fall below freezing - 32°F - the rhizome will shrivel and die. Frost has no effect on ginger root. Ginger is easy to grow in a container, which is good news for those who live in colder climates.
If you have your ginger root in a pot outside, bring it inside before the temperature drops below 55°F. Another option is to plant ginger in the ground and then dig the rhizomes up when the temperature cools down. They can be kept in pots over the winter and replanted in the ground in the spring.