Do you believe you can grow many ginger plants from just one ginger root? Yes, it’s very much possible with this trick below!
Growing ginger at home can be a rewarding experience, and with this amazing trick, you can grow unlimited Ginger Plants without spending much this growing season.
Learn Everything About Growing Ginger here
When to Plant Ginger?
The optimal time to plant ginger in a cold climate is during early spring indoors or, if the weather permits– outdoors as well. You can wait till summer as well, and if you live in a warm climate or growing it indoors–just grow it year-round. If you want to understand more about ginger planting time, take a cue from the largest ginger-producing country–India, where they plant it in mid to late summer.
After planting, the ginger will require eight to ten months to mature, and it’s advisable to harvest it during winter when the leaves begin to wither. So, if you live in a cooler climate, it’s recommended to plant ginger in a container that can be moved indoors during the cold season.
Learn about the best Types of Ginger Plants here
How to Grow Many Ginger Plants from One Ginger Root?
1. Get Ginger Roots
While you can buy ginger roots from a nearby garden center for planting, why bother? Just visit a farmer’s market in your area to buy some organic ginger rhizomes.
When selecting ginger for planting, opt for plump roots; if you can see the buds coming out, it’s even better. You can use the ginger you get from grocery stores, but they are mostly treated with growth retardants. However, to wean the effect, you can soak your ginger in water overnight, and it will be ready for planting.
2. Cut Ginger into Pieces
- Slice ginger into 1-2 inches fragments and leave it to dry for a day to form a callus.
- It’s essential to ensure that each piece you intend to plant has nodes on the ends, known as eyes, for proper sprouting.
- While planting, the eye part will face upward, and the cut part will face downward.
This is the most important part–remember, the more pieces with nodes you will cut from your ginger rhizome, the more plants you will have! This way, you can grow many ginger plants from just one!
3. Prepare the Soil
For planting ginger, it’s best to combine potting soil with compost or well-rotted manure. This will not enhance drainage but will also provide nutrients to the plant in the long run.
4. Plant Ginger
- Start planting ginger pieces by burying them 2-4 inches below the soil with the buds (eyes) facing upwards and space them 5 inches apart. Lightly cover with a potting mix.
- When choosing a container to grow ginger, opt for one that is at least 10 to 12 inches deep and as wide as desired. Alternatively, wide window boxes are also suitable as they are wide enough to accommodate multiple rhizomes in a single container.
- You can also use grow bags and pots meant for potatoes.
- After planting ginger, water it right away. Ensure that the soil stays moist but not saturated.
5. Select a Location
When planting ginger outdoors, it’s important to note that it flourishes in partial shade, receiving only 4-5 hours of direct sunlight daily. Your location can be indoors, or a balcony or porch will work fine too.
Get a Guide to the Best Thai Spices and Herbs here
How to Harvest Ginger?
When the ginger stems start to turn yellow, it indicates that the ginger root is approaching maturity and will be ready for harvest soon.
- Carefully remove the ginger root from the soil using your hands or a small trowel, and then detach it from the rest of the ginger plant by clipping it free.
- Thoroughly wash and scrub the ginger roots under running water, ensuring that all the dirt is removed. Once clean, the ginger can be cooked, pickled, dried, or prepared in any way desired. Additionally, some pieces of ginger can be saved for replanting the following season.
