If you are living in a warm region, and it is good for your health, then ginger is the perfect crop for you. Growing ginger is not very difficult, which is why even new gardeners can start growing ginger if they want a plant that not only elevates the appearance of their garden but is also beneficial for them.
Step-by-Step instructions to Growing Ginger
This heat-loving, tropical herb is famous for its bamboo-like leaves and delicious rhizomes. The plant is grown as a long-season annual in warm climates, and here in this guide, you will learn all about growing ginger. If you are interested in knowing how to grow ginger, then use this guide to learn the entire process.
Understanding the Growing Process of Ginger
The most important thing that you need to know is that ginger grows from Rhizomes. Rhizomes refer to fleshy stems that are present under the ground horizontally and contain buds from which the plant sprouts. Bamboo-like shoots grow from these rhizomes and result in the formation of ginger under the ground.
Purchase and get Ginger ready for planting
To grow ginger, you can buy ginger online from seed companies or from your local market. I get mine at Sprouts. When buying ginger rhizomes for planting, make sure to choose light-colored, thin-skinned organic ginger that is plump and firm with several bumpy nodules.
To plant ginger, cut the rhizomes into 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) pieces (each containing at least 2 or 3 nodules). Before planting, let the cut ends dry and heal over.
Provide Ample Time for Ginger to Grow
Ginger requires a long, warm growing season of about 10 months to produce a good yield. Usually, Zones 8 and above have sufficient time to plant and harvest ginger outdoors. After your last frost date and when the soil is warm in spring, then plant it outside. In the low desert of Arizona, ginger planting is done in March. Place rhizomes with the nodules facing up, 2 inches (5 cm) deep and 6–8 inches (15-20 cm) apart.
If you want to grow ginger in containers:
- A container that is at least 12 inches (30 cm) deep must be used for growing ginger.
- Ginger in a container may need watering and fertilizer more often.
- Container ginger can be harvested by pouring it out on a tarp or into a wheelbarrow.
In the case of indoor ginger cultivation:
- For 12 – 14 hours of lighting, provide ginger with supplementary light.
- The perfect indoor temperature is 75°F (24°C).
- May need extra feeding.
Create the Perfect Environment to Grow Ginger
Provide shade for growing ginger in hot summer areas. Although ginger likes warm soil, the intense sun sometimes causes damage to the growing leaves. Find a place for planting ginger that is shaded naturally, or create shade for the growing ginger plant.
The best ginger soil is rich in organic matter and has good drainage. Heavy, loose soils might give enough nutrients for ginger cultivation. Besides, mulching the soil with compost or straw keeps nutrients, controls weeds, and retains moisture.
These are the steps that you need to stick to when you wish to grow ginger. You can use the website Yourhomify to learn more about growing ginger and caring for it.
