Growing Ginger

Zingiber Officinale : Zingiberaceae / the ginger family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • Plant pieces of fresh root showing signs of shoots. Best planted at soil temperatures between 68°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 inches apart
  • Harvest in approximately 25 weeks. Reduce water as plant dies back to encourage rhizome growth.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Grow in separate bed

Your comments and tips

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20 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
December should still be OK in your area. Don't plant it too deep and make sure that drainage is good to avoid the rhyzome from rotting. Trust this helps.
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08 Dec 16, (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted tumeric rhizomes about 6 weeks ago and still no sign of them developing. I wonder if anyone has advice about them. Many thanks.
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09 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Ginger/turmeric can take a while to sprout particularly in cooler weather which we have had a lot of in southern Australia this year. Last year I had almost given up on mine before it sprouted. It was s also susceptible to rot in cold damp soil. Carefully scrape some soil away and feel the rhizome to see if it is still firm or has rotted. The rhizomes need warm, moist, well drained soil as they are really a semi tropical/tropical plant. Maybe you could grow it in a large tub in a sunny spot. Trust this helps.
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28 Nov 16, Dineo Modise (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
how to structure a ginger in a hydroponics
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16 Nov 16, Naila (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi, if ginger start sprouting with an inch or 2 inches shoot can it be grown?
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10 Nov 16, Doug (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted some Ginger in July, just cut 3 nodes off the end off a piece of Supermarket Ginger.I thought it was dead and started to dig it up but noticed it had changed a dark red colour and was sprouting after a flush of rain, They are now 25cms high 10Nov16
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06 Nov 16, donald pelvin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
best way to sprout ginger please
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21 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Donald, when I plant ginger I plant it and just cover it with soil. Ensure there are buds on the rhyzome (root). keep it moist but not wet as it may rot. Now the weather is warming up it should sprout fairly quickly. Trust this helps. John
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23 Oct 16, Emily (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Please may I know if I could grow ginger, the edible ones we get in the supermarket, in Auckland? Thanks
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02 Feb 17, Karen (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I bought my ginger from a supermarket and seems to be growing well. I selected the small pieces with the bumps looking undamaged. These bumps will be the growing points. Make sure that the part of the ginger that was attached to a large piece is dry and crusted over before planting else it may just rot away. I think it was 8 pieces I planted and 6 have sprouted. Took a while to see results so patience is required. Best started, one piece per pot. I used plastic drinking cups with drainage holes. Don't over water. Keep soil damp but not wet.
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Ginger will grow well where you live in Sydney. I grew it for years in the well draining garden beds in the ground, whilst living both at Badgerys Creek and Kurrajong areas. I now successfully grow it in pots in Canberra. Check out you tube for tips on the right shade, moisture and harvest tips. . I recommend watching 2 videos: one from Mark from north Qld ‘self sufficient me,’ & other one: ginger in a cold climate from Curtis Stone, for some skills. Ginger from the supermarket is not likely to grow if it’s not australian, because it is fumigated for import. Best success will be Organic Australian to get you started Be patient with ginger and do not over water it in winter. I didn’t use sand to mix in Sydney because it held too much moisture, so look into that. Vermiculite and perlite are good options, depending on whether in pots or in beds. All references are mentioned in good faith and without sponsorship. Hopefully you’ll find the information more helpful than my few words. Good luck :)

- Kel

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