Ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) may seem like a mysterious herb to grow. The knobby ginger root is found in grocery stores but very rarely do you find it in your local nursery. So can you grow ginger at home? The answer is yes, you can. Not only is growing ginger plants possible, it is easy as well. Let’s take a look at how to grow ginger in your garden.
SELECTION
The easiest way to start growing ginger is to get a few fresh rhizomes of someone who does grow ginger or just buy some at the shops. Soak the rhizomes in warm water overnight in order to get rid of any growth retardant.
SOIL
Whether you grow your ginger root in a pot or in the ground, you do need really good soil to start with. It needs to be rich enough to feed your ginger, it needs to hold enough moisture so it doesn’t dry out, but it needs to be free draining so the ginger roots don’t become water logged.
SPACE
Growing ginger doesn’t take up much room at all. Ginger only grows to about two to three feet in height. A 14 inch pot easily holds three average rhizomes. If planting them in the ground plant them about six to eight inches apart.
SUNLIGHT
The plant must be placed in a spot where it gets a plenty of light but no direct sun, and where they are protected from wind. Ideal temperature is 25-30°C.
WATERING
Ginger needs a lot of moisture while actively growing. The soil should never dry out. Don’t over-water because the water that drains away will take nutrients with it.
Since ginger needs enough humidity spray the plant regularly if there is a problem with dry air. It can cause problems with spider mites. A sheltered, moist spot in a warm climate will provide enough humidity.
PLANT FOOD
If you are growing ginger in good, rich soil it shouldn’t need anything extra. If you don’t have good soil, or if you are growing ginger in some standard bought potting mix, then you have to feed it regularly. Some organic slow release fertilizer will serve this purpose at planting time. After that you can use some liquid fertilizer like seaweed extract or fish fertilizer every few weeks.
HARVEST
If you are growing ginger root in the garden you can start using little bits of it once it is about four months old. Just dig carefully at the side of a clump. The best time to harvest ginger is any time after the leaves have died down. Usually it takes eight to ten months.
That was easy right well what are you waiting for try growing it immediately! Happy Farming!
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