GINGER ROOT

Hello Stan,

My ginger root has started to sprout. Can I grow it into a plant? How? Would it ever produce more roots to harvest? I enjoy listening to your program and wish I could do a better job of following your advice. I live in Fort Saskatchewan.

Jack

Jack - Thanks for the kind remarks, and hasten to encourage your ginger plantation. Ginger is a warm crop. Not only warm but very demanding upon high humidity through the high light period of the day. That's the root you have started.

The variety you are growing is originally from the East Asia and known as Zingiber. Although, there is another cultivar of the ginger species that is quite hardy, and popular with some local ethnics...the wild ginger, and hardy to zone 3. Ginger Asarum canadense.

The popular method of growing this plant , is to sow fresh seeds into the garden during the fall, or seed into peat pots by Jan or Feb. Very tasty and easy to maintain.

Richters Herb Catalogue 2001 is now available, and excellent for the imaginative grower. Check out: www.richters.com

Let me know how you make out.