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 7a 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

22 Feb 22, (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
It has it in the calendar guide at the top of the page.
17 Jan 22, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I would like to grow black ginger in my ward
10 Oct 21, Angela (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
What went wrong? I planted the ginger buds and they shot up nicely and showed promise but when I wanted to harvest the roots were rotten. Too much water ??
11 Oct 21, Anon (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Good draining soil is required - water only 2-3 times a week and give good fertilising. Plant and harvest the right time.
11 Oct 21, Sassy (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Turmeric and Ginger rhizomes don't like wet feet. They need nutrient rich but well draining soil. You might consider adding some sand to the soil to encourage drainage.
28 Aug 21, Mashudu Nephalama (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
1. a) Which crops, and b) in which months can be favorably grown around Niani Area : Makuya-Tshikondeni Mine-Pafuri? 2. In mind I’ve got garlic, ginger, butternuts, baby marrows, squash, tomatoes and pepper? 3. My land portion is 1ha clay soil (bore hole) and separate 3ha sandy soil (bore hole).
01 Sep 21, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Look up the planting times for the vegetables you are thinking about. Also look up on the internet how to grow all of these crops. Start out with small plots first until you learn what to do.
29 Jun 21, Bongiwe (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I’m staying at Eshowe at North of KZN.I like to grow ginger I’m small farmer. (NOTE from Editor: Gardenate is not intended for farmers - try an agricultural advisor)
02 Jun 21, Avhapfani (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
where can I get a seed of ginger
23 Jun 21, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Use the ginger bulb.
Showing 21 - 30 of 150 comments

Hi Sara, You can! I grew it for a couple of years in a pot when I lived in Panania (low-on-space-rental) and also the last few years in the Hawkesbury. It grows well in Sydney, we got a bumper crop from just 3 store bought pieces, harvested a year later. We would have gotten even more kgs if I have know it doesn't like direct sun, ours was a little sunburnt. We ended up making about 100 bottles of ginger beer and sharing them around :-) I'm going to plant again this weekend, close to a nice warm fence but out of direct sun. I'm also going to experiment with water loving herbs as a ground cover. I hope this will increase humidity and allow me a second crop for the space. Since ginger is upright, I can plant a companion ground-cover. Maybe strawberries or tarragon? Something that can handle lots of water. Cheers and happy gardening, Michelle

- Michelle

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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