Ginger in the country: how to plant and grow ginger in the garden

Ginger looks like bamboo, which is why it is often grown as a decorative element in gardens. But mostly it is used as a spice, adding to various dishes. True, the healing properties of the root of the plant have recently been valued. It improves digestion, increases potency, strengthens memory. Not surprisingly, now many are eager to grow it in their area. Despite the fact that ginger is a tropical plant, its planting is also relevant in our latitudes, it is important only to observe the proper care of it at the dacha.

Features of growing ginger in the open field

The question of how to grow ginger in the garden, lies in a few tricks.The plant as a whole is unpretentious, but has several essential requirements for planting and cultivation, the non-observance of which leads to its death. Ginger - it is a perennial herb that belongs to the ginger family. Its rhizome branches horizontally, produces a strong stem up to one and a half meters in length. Each shoot covers leaves that grow up to 20 cm in length. South Asia is considered its homeland, but with certain efforts, ginger can also be grown in our latitudes.

The choice of site for landing

For ginger, it is necessary to choose a well-lit place, but so that it does not burn the sun's rays during the midday hours. In extreme cases, schedule a shadow for this time. The place should also be protected from strong gusts of wind - the plant does not like drafts. As a rule, choose the southern side of the site. If you took up the cultivation of ginger in cool latitudes, it is safer to do it in greenhouses, observing all the conditions described above.

What should be the soil for planting

Ginger requires planting in a special soil. It should consist of sand, leaf humus and sod land. And in two parts of leaf humus it is necessary to take one part of the other components. Although some gardeners argue that ginger will suit any fairly loose soil.

The soil under the plant should be well drained. In a trench or hole where you plan to plant ginger, fine gravel should be poured up to a centimeter. It should be covered with a two-centimeter layer of sand, and then the substrate.

How to plant ginger in open ground

Ginger seeds do not multiply, so we will look at how to plant ginger from the root.

Terms of planting ginger in the country

In its natural environment, the plant is grown from six months to a year. In our latitudes, no more than 9 months is allocated for this, most of which is devoted to the preparation and germination of planting material. For seedlings, roots are planted at the beginning of the year - February or even January. Roots ready for planting are moved to the open ground in April - May, when there is no threat of repeated spring frosts.

But experienced gardeners recommend not to hurry with planting in open ground, but first move it to the greenhouse at the end of March, so that the plant gradually adapts to the new conditions.

In order for ginger to develop normally, the ambient temperature must not be less than 25 ° C. If it drops to 18 ° C, it will “hibernate,” and it will be difficult to return it to active growth.

Selection of planting material

Before looking for the answer to the question of how to plant and grow ginger, ask about the appropriate planting material. It reproduces, as already mentioned, rhizome, which can be divided. You can buy it in any store. It is only important to choose a healthy and young root.

It should have a smooth, almost glossy skin, not be frozen and dry. Pay attention: in order for the root to germinate, it must have sprout buds - “eyes”, like on potatoes.

Preparatory work for planting ginger

Landing ginger in the country is preceded by preparatory work not only on the ground, but also with the planting material itself. The root must be kept for several hours in a solution of potassium permanganate or simply in warm water. It helps to wake him up and stimulate growth.

If the root is divided or cut before planting, the cut must be processed: slightly dried and sprinkled with chopped ash or activated charcoal. When cutting off the root for planting, make sure that there are at least two buds on the planting.

How to plant ginger at the dacha

The question of how to plant ginger, has its own particular solutions. For its normal growth, the root must be located close to the surface: it grows not deep, but in breadth. Therefore, for planting digging shallow cuvettes with a depth of 5-10 cm. Planting material is immersed in them in 10 cm steps between the roots so that the buds on the roots are facing up. Remember that the soil before planting should be well hydrated and loose.

How to care for ginger in the country

Since ginger is a tropical plant, its cultivation at the dacha requires special agricultural techniques.

Rules for watering plants

After planting the roots and until the first shoots appear, watering should be very abundant, because ginger is a moisture-loving plant. "Hell" they should be about two weeks. When the shoots appear, watering is slightly reduced, continuing to regularly supply the plant with moisture. It is important not to overdry the ground, but at the same time ensure that the moisture in it does not stagnate, otherwise the roots will rot.

After watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil, to which the plant responds vividly. Loosen it to a depth of about a centimeter. This should be done during the growing season of ginger. And do not forget to spray the plant, especially on hot summer days. But this should be done in the early morning or late evening, so as not to cause burns on the leaves.

When and how to feed ginger in the open field

Ginger is demanding feedings that need to be made during the entire growing season. But at different stages of life, he will require different feeding.So, at first it is recommended to use organic fertilizers once every 10 days. To do this, dilute the mullein with water in a ratio of 1:10. In August, they begin to alternate organic matter with potash fertilizers, which help the tubers to form and allow the development of beautiful greenery. Before flowering, you must use phosphorus drugs.

How and when to harvest ginger

The term of ripening of ginger from the moment of planting is 10 months, but, in principle, the roots are already ready for use and after half of this period, even though they are still very small in size. In harvesting it is necessary to focus on the ground part of the plant. At first it wilts slightly, then slowly falls apart and dries out. As these transformations gradually reduce watering, spraying is stopped at the first signs of wilting.

Harvesting technology differs little from the rules of harvesting other root vegetables. A couple of days before picking the plant stop watering. They dig up the roots with a shovel, clean them off the ground, break off adventitious roots and lay them out to dry in the open air for three days.

Part of the crop can be immediately selected for use, and some should be sent to storage.

Ginger Tips on Proper Storage

It is recommended to store the harvest in a cool dark place where the temperature is kept at 2-4 ° C. As a rule, it is a cellar, basement or vegetable compartment in the refrigerator. In the latter case, the dry root must first be wrapped in a paper bag. So it can be stored for several months.

You can store the crop dried. Peel the root and cut into thin slices. But before use, they will have to be soaked for at least six hours before the ginger is usable. Note that in this case the root will get a sharper aroma and taste.

Such an amazing tropical plant, like ginger, can be grown in our strip. Of course, for this you need to follow the recommendations of how to grow ginger in the garden. Facilitates landing that you can find planting material in any store.

You can harvest in the first season, but if you want to see the beautiful ginger flowers, you must wait at least two years. With the storage of the harvest, there will be no problems: the root may lie in the vegetable compartment in the refrigerator for half a year, and then it can be awakened again for the next vegetative cycle.