Tips for Growing Ginger
You receive health benefits compliments of nature when growing ginger for the family. Ginger, Zingiber Officinale, provides us with healthy choices for food flavorings and herbal medicine. The use ginger dates back many thousands of years. The Greeks, Chinese, and Egyptians used it throughout history.
The Ginger plant is acclimated to tropical climates of its native forests in Asia. It’s important to make sure the plant remains in a warm and humid environment when growing ginger.
This plant likes it hot, but not bright, 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.
Ginger can be grown from the root or rhizome bought from the supermarket. The night before you plant, soak the roots in warm water. 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 receive direct sunlight.
Check daily, and once you’ve seen the first shoots, it is time to remove the covering. It is safe to move the plant into the garden when all danger of frost is past. When growing ginger, water it regularly, but avoid the soil becoming saturated.
A growing ginger plant can reach up to a height of four feet. As it grows, its slender stems and glossy leaves may stretch up to a foot long. For the plant to prosper, it will need high humidity. Mist the plants often, and provide light shade and rich soil.
The best time for growing ginger is in the springtime. It usually takes three to 5 months for a plant to harvest. To do this, the whole plant must be unearthed, to reach the root. Just poke holes in the soil gingerly and cut off what you need.
For the preservation of ginger, it can be dried indoors, kept in the refrigerator, or sun-dried.
Cooking With Your Growing Ginger:
Add ginger to your next stir fry to pep it up. Ginger can be used to flavor meats, vegetables, deserts, and drinks. Spice up biscuits, teas and other recipes with ginger seasoning. One third of a teaspoon of ginger, when crushed into a powder, equals a serving.
Growing Ginger for medical reasons–
Ginger can be used to relieve common pregnancy symptoms, like morning sickness or stomach cramps. Gingerol (an ingredient found in ginger) can relieve sickness and nausea. It is proven safe to take during pregnancy, all natural, and it causes no ill side effects. Ginger is also used to treat migraines and arthritis. Travelers who rather not take motion sickness tablets can use ginger to settle their stomach. Growing ginger for the intention of using in tea is recommended among homeopathic medicine professionals, for use to fight the symptoms of flu or cold virus.
Growing Ginger Tips–
Naturally, the most potent and effective ginger is that which is cultivated organically.
Just like the ancients did to preserve food supply, remember to put a piece of root back into where you originally dug – to ensure more growth for next season.
Never leave your plant out in the cold. This is because anything lower than 50F will kill, or stunt the growth of the plant.
Congratulations, on the wise decision of growing ginger.
Don’t be scared to get stuck in!
You will hit pay dirt, with fresh ginger on hand for cooking and taking care of your family‘s ills. (Not from your cooking!)