Ginger is an easy-to-grow plant that can be used for a variety of different things. If you can be patient and keep a watering schedule, you will have no problem. From cooking to teas to remedies, this root has been used throughout history for healing and wellness.
In this article, we will teach you how to plant ginger and how to take care of it. Both are necessary to grow the healthiest ginger for your purposes.
7 Steps to Grow Ginger
Step 1: Decide on the Ginger
There are 2 primary ways to grow ginger. The first is by purchasing a live root. You can usually get them online or in a nursery or garden center. The second is to head straight to your grocery store and buy an edible ginger! That is by far the easiest and least expensive.
To pick a root, find one that is plump and feels firm to the squeeze. You want to see several eye buds on it. These look like the eye buds that grow on potatoes. The skin should also be tight. If you can, we recommend going organic. If it is not, or you don’t know, be sure to soak the whole thing in warm water the night before you plant it.
Step 2: Cut the Ginger into Pieces
Do you want to grow more than one plant? Then cut the ginger into multiple pieces using a sanitized kitchen knife. Just make sure each section has 3 or more eyes on it! If you decide to cut, do it after you soak and let all of the pieces dry out for a few days. This will allow healing.
Whether you plant out in a garden or inside in a container, each piece of ginger needs about 8 inches of space. Only cut as many pieces as you have room for wherever you are planting them.
Step 3: Get the Soil Ready
It doesn’t matter where you are planting. The fact is, the soil should be prepared either way. Ginger needs dirt that drains well and contains many nutrients. Soil that is too heavy in clay or sand should be amended. If planting in a pot, simply mix garden soil and compost in a 50/50 split.
Outside, you can use a soil kit to see what you need to do. Ginger does best in moderately acidic soils. You want it to be between 6.0 and 6.5 pH, so if you have alkaline you will need to chance it. You can do this by purchasing a pH kit from your home and garden store.
Step 4: Pick a Spot
Ginger does the best in morning sun and partial shade in general. Keep the plants out of the wind. If you are going to plant outside, make sure it isn’t a swampy area. This root likes moist, but not water logged, dirt. Do not plant them anywhere near roots.
Ginger can germinate only in warm soil – from 71 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. That makes mid-spring a great time to plant outdoors.
Step 5: Pick a Pot
The container you plant in matters. In fact, this root does best in pots that are 12 inches at minimum. It’s best to buy anywhere up to 16 inches deep. Overall, we recommend using plastic instead of terra cotta. Just be sure there are drainage holes in the bottom.
Step 6: Put the Pieces in the Soil
As soon as your pieces or whole ginger root are ready, go ahead and push them into the soil. They should be between 2 and 4 inches below the ground. Keep the eyes pointing upward, as that is where the buds will come out.
If you want to plant in rows, keep each piece at least 8 inches apart! In a single pot, only plant 1 piece. They are generally not wide enough to hold more.
Step 7: Water the Soil
At this point, the only thing left to do is water the soil. Do it lightly after you finish getting your ginger in the ground.
Tips and Tricks to Take Care of Ginger
#1: Check Daily
The most time consuming part of owning a ginger plant is checking the water daily. However, it only takes about 10 seconds! We think that’s a pretty low maintenance plant!
The reason you need to check on this root daily is because you must water it lightly. You don’t want the soil to be soggy. EVER. If it is, the roots will rot. No one wants rotten ginger. So, make sure to water only right before it completely dries out and when it does get dry keep the water light!
#2: Add Fertilizer Monthly
Ginger responds well to a monthly regime of ½ the recommended fertilizer. As always, go organic. However, if your soil is rich with compost, you won’t need the extra boost.
#3: Mulch Outdoors
Roots grown outside can benefit immensely from mulching. Apply only after the plant has sprouted, and you can apply it up to the base. The mulch will keep weeds away and keep the ginger itself warm enough to grow. Just remember not to water as much, as mulch keeps moisture locked in the soil.
#5. Ground Temperature
If the ground temperature gets anywhere below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need to apply a thick layer of mulch around the sprout. There are thermometers available to test soil temps.
This only applies to the growing season.
Lessons on How to Plant Ginger
There is no reason to be unsuccessful. Even if you plant inside your home, outside in the garden, or inside your wooden shed (with windows). In the rare case your ginger doesn’t take, simply try again. It’s an inexpensive and quick process with nothing to lose and a lot to gain!
