Cover lightly with soil and water gently to keep moist. If there are too many rocks in the soil, the soil temperature is easily altered by water buildup. Plant seeds or roots in the fall from Sept. 1st through February and it will sprout up in the spring. Seeds of the deciduous plant will germinate in the year following planting and plants over a year old will often flower and produce red berries, from which seeds may be harvested, but the valued part of the ginseng plant is the root, which reaches maturity only after 5 to 10 years and after it has developed three or more prongs. "Very helpful article, includes lots of details that are spread out all over the web. Dig the roots up carefully as not to break them. The best time to plant ginseng is in the fall. Panax ginseng prefers to grow in shady woodlands. ", "I found ginseng on my property, and now I know what to do with it. Regulation of wild ginseng harvesting varies from state to state and permits can be obtained at a price, but growing ginseng on private property for home use is possible without risking backwoods feuds or a trip to the slammer. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Place a large amount of seeds in a special container to drain water and keep out rodents. Space seeds 14 to 18 inches apart. Dry your ginseng in a well-ventilated room at a temperature of at least 60°F, not exceeding 90°F for any prolonged period. It's not true. If you want to cut out the middle man and sell and export ginseng yourself, then you might consider getting a dealer license. These cottage garden favorites will add an attractive pop of color to any yard. The root of this special plant can be chewed raw or used fresh in tea, soups or stir-frys. This is a typical planting method for wild-simulated ginseng, as the wide spacing reduces the risk of disease spreading. The Chinese have used ginseng for thousand of years. Shred them first if you have already bought oak leaf mulch. It takes up to 18 months just for the seeds to germinate, so you’ll need to have plenty of patience as you are first getting started. Used in herbal medicine for thousands of years, high quality ginseng roots still fetch hundreds of dollars per pound, and patient growers can harvest large quantities using the "wild-simulated" growing method. Absolutely. Remember to test your soil and amend it as needed every year. Without question, ginseng is the queen of the woodland gardens. Cover with mulch and mark the location. Spacing recommendations for planting ginseng seed. By using our site, you agree to our. Test the pH – it should be 6.0 to 6.5 for a healthy ginseng crop. It does occur naturally in the area. Sow seeds a quarter inch deep, and cover by pressing down on the soil. You can make them less visible by planting plants of the same color around them, but try to find a plant that doesn't usually attract animals. This article received 12 testimonials and 94% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Place a small amount of seeds in a pouch made of lightweight mesh, tied with wire. unlocking this expert answer. You will at least need to complete an application and pay a fee. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Direct sunlight usually dries the roots too fast, but if you see any mold or discoloration growing, put them in direct sun for a few hours to kill the infection. Plant large-sized perennials in early fall, and they'll perform better in the garden come springtime. Here is everything you need to know. Seeds are to be sown in the fall at a depth of about 1 ½ inches, while roots should be planted under 3 inches of soil and do best when planted in early spring. Apply organic compost to boost the organic content of your soil. Consider how you will market your ginseng. Growing ginseng for use is a long process. ", "Very informative and educational process, love it, now I can go ahead and plant my aloe vera. If you want to harvest the roots, wait at least 7 years before carefully digging them up. Ginseng Growing Information. Does ginseng have more than one seed pod? That is why it's very dear in South Africa. As mentioned earlier, ginseng likes to grow in shady areas. Ginseng Can Grow Throughout the US. ", doubtful profit. Modern ginseng cultivation today ranges from extremely intensive, high input, high risk, field production utilizing polypropylene shade cloth, with production costs alone of at least $65,000 per acre to establish and grow a three year crop, to less than a $100 investment in seed that may be grown in a “wild simulated” manner in a woodlot. If you want to ensure a continuous crop, however, you can add seed in the first and second years, when your plants will not likely produce fruit. 1. Cover with several inches (~10cm) of mulch. These plants are named for the golden band that runs down the center of each petal on large white flowers. You may also treat your seeds with a fungicide, but make sure it is safe for use on ginseng first. apart. It's almost always easier to grow ginseng in a more natural environment. There are three methods to growing ginseng. Since wild ginseng is so rare, you can also get some idea of suitability if "companion plants" such as trillium, cohosh, jack-in-the-pulpit, wild yam, goldenseal, Solomon’s seal, wild ginger, or rattlesnake ferns are present. Can ginseng be grown in raised beds under a shelter? Ginseng likes rowing in the cool woods with 70% to 80% shading. You may be able to visit their location with your ginseng, have it weighed, and get a price quote on the spot. It depends on the age of the plant. So simply put, the popularity of ginseng is here to stay. Ginseng will do well if left alone. The other two methods are “wild-simulated” and “woods-cultivated.”. If planting in a garden, provide a slatted shade cover with an opening facing eastward to protect the ginseng … % of people told us that this article helped them. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Do not use whole oak leaves. Approved. References Waiting until fall will likely leave you with the lowest quality seeds. Rake them into the soil and mulch them with an inch or two of shredded leaves or straw. Last Updated: July 13, 2020 Follow these tips to grow this exotic perennial in your own garden. All you need to do is keep weeds away from the bed and make sure the soil is moderately moist. Ginseng is also used in soaps and lotions. I'd be better off growing fish for caviar. Plant the seeds 6 to 9 inches (15 to 23 cm) apart if you plan to harvest large, 7+ year old ginseng. You can earn extra cash growing ginseng quite easily. As per the seed or root will grow in the soil, the most important thing is to get the soil PH just right. You may also plant ginseng in other areas each year during the fall to develop an ongoing harvest. Soil with the right level of moisture should not ball up in your hand or stick to your skin when you squeeze it. One is the “artificial shade” method, which is usually too expensive for small growers, as the start-up costs are quite expensive. Ginseng root has been coveted by the Chinese for thousands of years as an herbal panacea, allegedly improving cognitive power, restoring vitality, reducing stress and serving as an anti-inflammatory. deep and at least 14 inches (36 cm.) One option is to connect with a licensed ginseng dealer in your state. Grow ginseng to supplement your income, or to. There are 29 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Yes you can, but it is much more difficult because you have to try to mimic it being grown under the shade of trees, with leafy cover. Be careful when confronting potential poachers. The Chinese believe that the slower growing wild ginseng root absorb more curative powers from the forest floor, hence, wild ginseng is more prized and more valuable. How much shade is needed to grow ginseng. Seeds are to be sown in the fall at a depth of about 1 ½ inches, while roots should be planted under 3 inches of soil and do best when planted in early spring. Ginseng will produce larger red clusters of berries as it ages. Do not scrub the roots or wash them too vigorously—some of the medicinal chemicals are concentrated in the root hairs, and removal of these hairs will decrease the usefulness and value of the root. Grow ginseng at home by recreating the shaded, naturally composted soil environment that occurs in the forests where ginseng grows naturally. ", "Very informative, especially what companion plants to look for, and planting spacing. Ginseng is usually planted by … When ginseng matures, … The name ginseng derives from the Chinese word rénshēn, meaning “man root,” because the shape of the fleshy root resembles the legs of a man. The planting method that can double, even triple root prices. Can ginseng be planted in the same location after harvesting when several years have passed? He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Growing ginseng using the wild-simulated method will produce ginseng roots that are almost indistinguishable from wild ginseng roots. Thank you. Let the plants get to about a handspan’s height, then transplant them to a deep pot. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. How to grow ginseng is fairly easy but locating plants may be difficult. Ginseng requires very specific growing conditions and needs a cold winter for dormancy. Ashwagandha, which is also called “Indian ginseng” is native to India. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. If your ginseng is planted densely, harvest after 4 years or the roots might begin to dwindle These roots will not be as valuable, however. Ginseng can be planted in any hardwood forest or backyard that is mostly shade. Prongs do not necessarily reflect the age of the plant, but are an indicator of maturity. Look for companion plants such as maidenhair fern, cohosh, and goldenseal. The plants tend to favor growing in places where there is plenty of space and airflow. Ginseng is not a particularly hard herb to grow, but it does take some time to learn how to grow ginseng. For tips from our Gardening reviewer on how to properly store ginseng roots, keep reading. You may be able to return them to the seller for a replacement. Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds. If you can find these plants, you probably have a suitable site. Yes. A sandy loam is the best soil for growing ginseng, with plenty of organic matter and good drainage. Plant seeds 1 ½ inches (3.8 cm.) Fill the box with alternating layers of moist sand and seeds. ", "Very informative. Claims of the exotic root's power reached North America in the early 1700s and a search for ginseng in the Americas revealed a comparable plant, now called American ginseng (Panax Quinquefolius), to join the original red ginseng (Panax Ginseng) as a sought after herbal remedy. When and Where to Plant. Avoid stony or … Ginseng can also be grown successfully indoors using containers with drainage reservoirs placed out of direct sunlight. All rights reserved. Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. After growth, ginseng roots must be dried and cured. Water ginseng grown outdoors when conditions are especially dry. The initial step to grow ginseng at home is choosing the right planting area, including the site, the soil, as well as the environment where ginseng will grow. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Although you may lose some plants to disease, you won’t likely lose them all as you might if they’re too close together. To grow ginseng, start by sprinkling the stratified seeds in loamy, quick-draining soil in a cool, shaded area. Select sloping ground with 75-80 percent shade. Whether starting from stratified seed or root, select a well-shaded location with good drainage. Refrain from fertilizing plants. Ginseng seeds take up to 18 months to germinate and although seeds may be stratified (stored in shallow sand or peat under refrigerated conditions for more than six months) at home, look for stratified seeds sold by reputable dealers. Just like special weather conditions, Ginseng requires a special soil to grow and you can’t grow it on the soil you have in your garden. The hardy aster looks like a daisy, but it's not. Plant ginseng seeds in the fall or early winter when the ground is slightly moist, preferably just after a light rain or snow. For tips from our Gardening reviewer on how to properly store ginseng roots, keep reading. Bury the box with the top 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5cm) below the soil. Do not worry, it might seem hard, but by following certain specifications, you will be able to get perfectly grown ginseng at home. It will also take about 3 to 5 years before you can harvest any roots. Thanks for the details. bleach treatment but fungus on the roots and seeds would need to be removed to give the seeds their best chance of growing. You can grow American ginseng anywhere from zone 3-7 (or even zone 8 in some places). Probably the best way to determine if a site is appropriate is to. Ginseng grows in loamy, clay or sandy soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.0. Healthy soil is important for any plant, and it’s certainly important for ginseng. Order seeds in advance in July or August, and have them delivered in the fall. Note that ginseng is able to grow in areas with lower calcium or phosphate, but may produce smaller roots or grow more slowly. You can check your state’s registry of licensed ginseng dealers to find one in your area. Privacy Policy. Planting purchased seedlings is easier and less-time consuming, but considerably more expensive. Because it takes a minimum of 5 years before ginseng is ready to be harvested, the price of seedlings will vary by age. ", "Very easy read with a great amount of information.". You could also always try buying them online. While you can also cultivate ginseng in a field under artificial shade and in as little as four years, that method requires much more effort, a greater expense, and produces much less valuable ginseng, making it only feasible for large-scale operations. The ideal condition for growing ginseng is in well-drained, sandy soils. You can grow ginseng at home! Not quite all my questions were answered, but most of them were. You would have to mimic the climate in a state such as Pennsylvania where wild American ginseng has been reported in every county. In about 3-5 years, your ginseng should be ready to harvest. Beware cheap seeds. Some people also sell their ginseng on an auction site, such as eBay. To preserve the root, it may also be dried and then sliced or grated for future use. Plant as little as 1 inch apart if you have a large number of seeds and want to harvest sooner. Ginseng requires a good amount of water. When maturity is reached, ginseng should be harvested in the fall. As with all herbal supplements, consult a doctor before using in conjunction with medication and strictly adhere to recommended dosage and applications before using any non-traditional curatives. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Grow-Ginseng-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Ginseng-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Grow-Ginseng-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid44804-v4-728px-Grow-Ginseng-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"