Tips for Growing Ginger

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Monday, September 21st, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

Growing ginger has a vast array of health benefits, direct from nature. Also known as Zingiber Officinale, ginger has a uses as a medicine and a flavoring. The use ginger dates back many thousands of years. History shows that the Chinese, Egyptians and Greeks had many uses for the root.

The Ginger plant is acclimated to tropical climates of its native forests in Asia. When growing ginger, it is important to keep the plants in a warm, moist environment.

This plant likes it hot, but not too sunny, direct sunlight. Ginger can be planted in a plant pot if preferred, either indoors, or out. If you live in a chilly climate, the plants will need to be indoors for the winter.

Growing ginger - How to Grow Ginger–

You can grow your own plant from a ginger root that you purchase from the local supermarket. To do this, immerse the roots in warm water the overnight. The next day, put the root in a regular plant pot, topped up with rich potting mixture. Insure the container has excellent drainage. Apply peat moss or organic compost around the plant. Then cover the pot with a carrier bag or plastic sheeting, then position it in a place where the sun shines, but be sure the plant does not get direct sunlight.

When the first shoots appear, take off the plastic bag. The plant can be moved to the garden, once you are sure that no further frost will come. Water the plant regularly when growing ginger, but make sure the soil does not become over watered and clogged.

Growing ginger plants can reach heights of forty eight inches. And may reach twelve inches in width. Ginger does not tolerate dryness, it should be in a very humid area. This can be achieved by ‘misting’ the plant as often as possible, avoiding direct sunlight, and providing rich soil.

Growing ginger is best planted in springtime. It usually takes 3 to five months for a plant to harvest. To do this, the whole plant must be unearthed, to reach the root. Another technique is to poke holes in the soil, and simply cut off what you want to use.

To preserve harvested ginger, it can be sun-dried in a dry cupboard, or refrigerated.

Cooking With Your Growing Ginger:

Add ginger to your next stir fry to pep it up. Ginger can be used to flavor meats, vegetables, puddings, and drinks. Spice up biscuits, teas and other recipes with ginger seasoning. To measure ginger, one teaspoon of crushed ginger powder equals one serving.

Growing Ginger for medical reasons–

Pregnant women sometimes use ginger to relieve a stomachache or morning sickness. Gingerol (an ingredient found in ginger) can relieve sickness and nausea. Fortunately, it has been proven safe to administer during pregnancy, as it is direct from nature, and has no known side effects. Ginger root can also be used for the treatment of arthritis and migraines. The plant is also suitable for aiding the symptoms of travel sickness, especially for those who do not like to take medication. Growing ginger to use in tea is practiced in homeopathic medicine against colds and flu.

Tips For Growing Ginger:

The best ginger is grown organically without pesticides.

Harvest as much ginger as you like, but put a budded piece back to replace what you use.

Never leave the ginger plant outside in cold temperatures. Outside temperatures lower than 50 degrees will stunt the growing ginger and may kill the plant.

Congratulations, on the wise decision of growing ginger.

Try not to be afraid to get your hands dirty!

You will hit pay dirt, with fresh ginger on hand for cooking and taking care of your family‘s ills. (Not from your cooking!)

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