THE CHINESE HERB GARDEN - Growing Chinese Vegetables in Your Own Backyard - page 155

Appearance
Ginger roots are a pleasant tan color with a smooth, woody look. They grow in a knobby
sort of way. The ginger plant is reedy-looking and grows about 2 to 3 feet tall. Glossy,
bright green leaves are narrow and up to 6 inches long. It's sometimes called “the queen
of the greenhouse” because of its brilliant, showy flowers. Some gardeners grow it as
an ornamental, never realizing the buried treasure they have beneath the soil.
How to Grow
Getting started. Ginger usually “rests” during the winter months, so plant it early in the
spring. The earlier you can start it indoors, the greater the maturity of the root you har-
vest in the fall, but you must wait for really warm weather to move it outside. In warmer
parts of Florida, it can be planted in February or early March; in cooler climates, start it
in January and plant it outdoors in late spring when all danger of frost has passed. Dig
it up in the fall before there's any chance of frost. If it's still growing strongly, you can
pot it and let it finish growing indoors. If this sounds like too much of a bother, harvest
the delicious immature roots instead.
Planting. The easiest source for ginger root is your local market. It's normally available
all year round, but not all roots will sprout. Buy a large, clean, firm root that's not dis-
colored or spongy. Cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces; each piece should have at least one
“eye” or knob. Put the pieces 2 to 3 inches deep in a 6-inch pot of rich potting soil and
keep soil moist.
After two weeks, if no shoots have appeared dig up the roots. If they look the same
as when you planted them, wash them off, dry them thoroughly, and put aside to use.
If small, pronounced ivory bumps have developed, then replant — these are the begin-
nings of shoots and show that the root is alive.