How to grow Ginger at home: Tips and tricks

Some time ago I told you how to regrow vegetables and several Agrohuertas have specifically asked us about how to grow ginger once it has sprouted.

what is ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinale), also known as kion or quion, is a plant of Asian origin with a great medicinal tradition on this continent and today widely used in gastronomy and not only Asian, but it is beginning to make its way in other many places in the world. What is consumed is its rhizome, which is what it is grown from.

How to grow ginger

The specific care and needs of ginger to grow healthy are as follows:

regrow ginger

As we discussed in the previous post, it is more advisable to regrow a ginger than to plant it. To make it grow we need a piece of ginger that does not have a very rough surface or that does not present rot or fungus. The ginger is then divided into several pieces. These are introduced in water for a few days and they will sprout; It is not necessary that during this process the sun gives them. Once they have several shoots, we bury them horizontally or lying in the substrate, it is very important to leave the shoots facing up and without burying them. The planting distance is 30 to 50 cm between plants. As for the depth, it can grow perfectly in a planter about 40 cm high.

Soil or substrate to grow ginger

It is not a particularly demanding plant as far as the type of soil is concerned, but it is preferable to use a substrate with a rather sandy texture, to favor drainage.

Climate to grow ginger

This plant does not support wind or cold, so it must be sheltered in winter. It prefers humid weather and mild temperatures around 20 ºC. As for exposure to the sun, it is preferable that it is not totally exposed. It needs a place with enough light for its correct growth, for example, the ideal is to place it near a window where there is clarity but without direct sunlight.

ginger watering

Ginger is a plant that needs to be moist, without flooding, because excess water harms it. The soil or substrate must be kept continuously moist. For example, nebulization irrigation would work very well in this type of plant. Without problems, manual watering without flooding the culture container and dripping work very well.

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Ideally, before transplanting the substrate, it is well fertilized, rich in organic matter. In the winter the substrate can be strengthened a little with ecological fertilizer.

harvest ginger

From the time it is planted (spring) until it reaches maturity, ginger can take around 7-9 months (depending on the variety and the climate where it is found). It is usually harvested in the autumn-winter season when the leaves are already They have finished drying. To ensure that we have production for the following year, we will leave a piece of ginger in the substrate and the rest will be for consumption. Ginger takes approximately two years to produce flowers, these are not consumed, they would be merely decorative.

Properties and Benefits of ginger

Ginger in ancient times had an important medicinal use, due to its numerous properties. It has a high content of amino acids and fiber, helps strengthen the immune system, and is an important source of omega-3. Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory and analgesic, it has antibacterial properties and is a great ally to control nausea.

It helps to improve sinusitis and nasal congestion, relieves migraines and toothaches if consumed by chewing it. The only contraindication is not to consume it if you suffer from a serious illness of the digestive system such as ulcers, gastritis, etc. If you have diabetes or a circulation problem, it is better to consult your doctor about its consumption.

The aroma of ginger is slightly citrusy and its flavor is quite spicy, so it is recommended to take it in small quantities. As a seasoning for the kitchen it is great, it can be added to a multitude of recipes and even in infusions, to which it gives a very special touch. I personally use it a lot in the kitchen and that is why I grow it myself, and its price in the supermarket is still somewhat high.

We hope that this article on how to grow ginger has been interesting for you. The cultivation of ginger is highly recommended for potted gardens since it does not require a large space.

Until next time Agrohuerters!