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 plant root 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.
Did you know? Ginger has a beautiful inflorescence, for the sake of which it is planted for decorative purposes, but the main purpose of growing ginger is a spicy root, which is used as a spice and for medicinal purposes.
Site selection for planting
For ginger, it is necessary to choose a well-lit place, but so that it does not burn the sun rays in 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. Moreover, the two parts of leaf humus must be taken on 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. The 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 yourself to find a suitable 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 to be frozen and dry. Pay attention: in order for the root to germinate, it must have sprout buds - “eyes”, like on potatoes.
Important! If you took up the cultivation of plants in northern latitudes, plant it only in greenhouses. Only in this way can you provide him with proper temperature and humidity levels. There, the soil should also be with the addition of sand, loose, fertilized, with a good drainage layer. Otherwise, the root may rot.
Preparatory work for planting ginger
Landing ginger at the dacha is preceded by preparatory work not only on the ground, but also on 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 should be located close to the surface: it grows not deeper, 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.
Important! If you want to achieve flowering from the plant, you must carefully follow all the rules of agricultural technology: maintain high humidity, ensure optimum temperature, shade from the direct rays of the sun, especially during the midday hours. But even observing all these conditions, you will see the first light yellow flower with a lilac shade not earlier than two years after planting.
How to care for ginger in the country
Since ginger is a tropical plant, its cultivation at the dacha requires special agricultural techniques.
Watering rules
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 in 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 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 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 give them beautiful greenery. Before flowering should use phosphorus drugs.
How and when to harvest ginger
The period 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, although they are still very small in size. In harvesting it is necessary to focus on the ground part of the plant. Initially, it slightly wilts, then slowly falls apart and dries out. As these transformations gradually reduce watering, spraying stops at the first signs of wilting. 
Harvesting technology differs little from the rules of harvesting other root vegetables. A couple of days before collecting 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.
Important! If you planted ginger for ornamental purposes in the garden, harvesting is not relevant in this case. Leave the roots for the winter in the ground and next season the plant will delight you with new shoots.
Part of the crop can be immediately selected for use, and part 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.
Did you know? Up to half a year, ginger can be stored frozen in the freezer, but when it is thawed, it loses almost all its beneficial properties. In this case, it can only be used as a seasoning.
You can keep the crop dried. Peel the root and cut into thin slices. But before use, you will need to soak them 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 adhere to the recommendations on 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.
